r 


University  o/  California  •  Berkeley 


The 

RIFLE  RANGERS 


A  thrilling,   fory  of  daring  adventure  and 
irbrct,  ith  escapes  during  the 
Mexican  War 


BY 

CAPTAIN  MAYNE  REID 


NEW  YORK 

GROSSET   &   DUNLAP 

PUBLISHERS 


COPYRIGHT,  1899, 
BY  S.  C.  ANDREWS. 


IE  EAf'CFCFT  [_ 


CONTENTS. 


I.'  The  Land  of  Anahuac 5 

II.  An  Adventure  Among  the  Creoles  of  New  Orleans. . .  25 

III.  A  Volunteer  Rendezvous 31 

IV.  Life  on  the  Island  of  Lobos 38 

V.  Lieutenant  Sibley's  Story  of  a  Georgia  hotel 42 

VI.  Major  Twing's  Story  of  the  Guyas-Cutis 48 

VII.  A  Skeleton  Adventure 61 

VIII.  The  Landing  at  Sacrificios 69 

IX.  The  City  of  the  True  Cross 76 

X.  Major  Blossom 84 

XL  Scouting  in  the  Chapparal 89 

XII.  Adventure  with  a  Cayman 101 

XIII.  Don  Cosme  Resales no 

XIV.  A  Mexican  Dinner 118 

XV.  A  Subterranean  Drawing-room 126 

XVI.  "  The  Norther  " 133 

XVII.  A  Little  Fair  Weather  Again 138 

XVIII.  The  Scout  Continued  with  a  Variety  of  Reflections 143 

XIX.  One  Way  of  Taming  a  Bull 148 

XX.  A  Brush  with  the  Guerilleros 154 

XXI.  A  Herculean  Feat 159 

XXII.  Running  the  Gauntlet 163 

XXIII.  A  Short  Fight  at  "  Long  Shot  " 169 

XXIV.  The  Rescue 179 

XXV.  The  Cocuyo 185 

XXVI.  Lupe  and  Luz 192 

XXVII.  A  Tough  Night  of  It  after  All 197 

XXVIII.  The  Light  after  the  Shade 201 

XXIX.  A  Disappointment  and  a  New  Plan 208 

XXX.  A  Foolhardy  Adventure 213 

XXXI.  Help  from  Heaven 218 

XXXII.  AShot  in  the  Dark 227 

XXXIII.  Captured  by  GueriUeros 234 

XXXIV.  ABlindRide 242 


IV  CONTENTS. 

PACK 

XXXV.  A  Drink  a  la  Cheval 246 

XXXVI.  An  Odd  Way  of  Opening  a  Letter 252 

XXXVII.  The  Cobra-di-Capello 256 

XXXVIII.  The  Head-quarters  of  the  Guerilla 260 

XXXIX.  Chane's  Courtship 268 

XL.  The  Dance  of  the  Tagarota 274 

XLI.  A  Kiss  in  the  Dark 278 

XLII.  Maria  de  Merced 284 

XLIII.  The  Pursuit 289 

XLIV.  A  New  and  Terrible  Enemy 292 

XLV.  A  Battle  with  Bloodhounds 297 

XLVI.  An  Indian  Ruse 300 

XLVII.  A  Coup  d'Eclair 305 

XLVIII.  A  Bridge  of  Monkeys 309 

XLIX.  The  Jarachos 315 

L.  Padre  Jarauta 320 

LI.  A  Hang  by  the  Heels 326 

LII.  A  Very  Short  Trial 334 

LIII.  A  Bird's-Eye  View  of  a  Battle 340 

LIV.  An  Odd  Way  of  Escaping  from  a  Battle-field 344 

LV.  A  Wholesale  Capture 349 

LVI.  A  Duel  with  an  Odd  Ending. 358 

LVII.  A  Brace  of  Ruffian  Soldiers 364 

LVIII.  A  Brace  of  Foolish  Officers 372 

LIX.  "  The  Child  of  Atocha  " 379 

LX.  The  Barranca 390 

LXI.  A  Death  Struggle 401 

LXII.  An  Adios 4« 


Scene  in  Tropical  America.     Boatmen  Attending  Mass. 


THE  RIFLE  RANGERS 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE    LAND    OF    ANAHUAC/ 


WAY  over  the  dark,  wild  waves 
of    the  rolling  Atlantic — away 
beyond  the  summer  islands  of 
the  Western  Ind — lies  a  lovely 
land.       Its  surface-aspect  carries  the  hue 
of  the  emerald  ;    its  sky  is  sapphire ;  its 
sun  is  a  globe  of  gold.     It  is  the  land  of  Anahuac. 

The  tourist  turns  his  face  to  the  Orient — the  poet  sings 

*  For  pronunciations,  definitions  of  patois,  and  other  peculiarities  that 
occur  in  the  following  pages,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  "  Explanatory 
Notes  "  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


6  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  gone  glories  of  Greece — the  painter  elaborates  the  hack 
neyed  pictures  of  Apennine  and  Alp — the  novelist  turns  the 
skulking  thief  of  Italy  into  a  picturesque  bandit,  or,  Don 
Quixote-like,  betaking  himself  into  the  misty  middle  age, 
entertains  the  romantic  miss  and  milliner's  apprentice  with 
stones  of  raven  steeds,  of  plumed  and  impossible  heroes. 
AH — painter,  poet,  tourist,  and  novelist — in  search  of  the 
bright  and  beautiful,  the  poetic  and  the  picturesque — turn 
their  backs  upon  this  lovely  land. 

Shall  we  ?  No  !  Westward,  like  the  Genoese,  we  boldly 
venture — over  the  dark  wild  waves  of  the  rolling  Atlantic ; 
through  among  the  sunny  islands  of  Ind — westward  to 
the  land  of  Anahuac.  Let  us  debark  upon  its  shores  ;  let  us 
pierce  the  secret  depths  of  its  forests;  let  us  climb  its 
mighty  mountains,  and  traverse  its  table-plains. 

Go  with  us,  tourist !  Fear  not.  You  shall  look  upon 
scenes  grand  and  gloomy,  bright  and  beautiful.  Poet !  you 
shall  find  themes  for  poesy  worthy  its  loftiest  strains. 
Painter !  for  you  there  are  pictures  fresh  from  the  hand  of 
God.  Writer  !  there  are  stories  still  untold  by  the  author- 
artist — legends  of  love  and  hate,  of  gratitude  and  revenge,  of 
falsehood  and  devotion,  of  noble  virtue  and  ignoble  crime 
— legends  redolent  of  romance,  rich  in  reality. 

Thither  we  steer,  over  the  dark  wild  waves  of  the  rolling 
Atlantic;  through  the  summer  islands  of  the  Western  Ind; 
onward — onward  to  the  shores  of  Anahuac! 

Varied  is  the  aspect  of  that  picture-land,  abounding  in 
scenes  that  change  like  the  tints  of  the  opal.  Varied  is  the  sur 
face  which  these  pictures  adorn.  Valleys  that  open  deep  into 
the  earth  ;  mountains  that  lead  the  eye  far  up  into  heaven  ; 
plains  that  stretch  to  the  horizon's  verge,  until  the  rim  of 
the  blue  canopy  seems  to  rest  upon  their  limitless  level  ; 
"  rolling  "  landscapes,  whose  softly-turned  ridges  remind  one 
of  the  wavy  billows  of  the  ocean. 

Alasl   word-painting  can  give  but  a  faint  idea  of  these 


THE    LAND    OF   ANAHUAC.  7 

scenes.  The  pen  can  but  feebly  portray  the  grand  and  sub 
lime  effect  produced  upon  the  mind  of  him  who  gazes  down 
into  the  deep  valleys,  or  glances  upward  to  the  mighty 
mountains  of  Mexico. 

Though  feeble  be  the  effort,  I  shall  attempt  a  series  of 
sketches  from  memory.  They  are  the  panoramic  views  that 
present  themselves  during  a  single  "Jornada." 

I  stand  upon  the  shores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf.  The  waves 
lip  gently  up  to  my  feet  upon  a  beach  of  silvery  sand.  The 
water  is  pure  and  translucent,  of  azure  blue,  here  and  there 
crested  with  the  pearly  froth  of  coral  breakers.  I  look  to 
the  eastward,  and  hehold  a  summer  sea  that  seems  to  in 
vite  navigation.  But  where  are  the  messengers  of  commerce 
with  their  white'  wings  ?  The  solitary  skiff  of  the  savage 
"pescador"  is  making  its  way  through  the  surf;  a  lone 
"  polacca  "  beats  up  the  coast  with  its  half-smuggler  crew  ; 
a  "  piragua  "  swings  at  anchor  in  a  neighboring  cove  :  this  is 
all !  Far  as  eye  and  glass  can  reach,  no  other  sail  is  in 
sight.  The  beautiful  sea  before  me  is  almost  unfurrowed  by 
the  keels  of  commerce. 

From  this  I  draw  ideas  of  the  land  and  its  inhabitants — 
unfavorable  ideas  of  their  moral  and  material  condition. 
No  commerce — no  industry — no  prosperity.  Stay  !  What 
see  I  yonder  ?  Perhaps  I  have  been  wronging  them.  A 
dark,  tower-like  object  looms  up  against  the  horizon.  It  is  the 
smoke  of  a  steamer — sign  of  advanced  civilization — emblem 
of  active  life.  She  nears  the  shore.  Ha  !  a  foreign  flag — 
the  flag  of  another  land  trails  over  her  taffrail  ;  a  foreign  flag 
floats  at  her  peak ;  foreign  faces  appear  above  her  bulwarks, 
and  foreign  words  issue  from  the  lips  of  her  commander. 
She  is  not  of  the  land.  My  first  conjecture  was  right. 

She  makes  for  the  principal  port.  She  lands  a  small 
parcel  of  letters  and  papers,  a  few  bales  of  merchandise, 
half  a  dozen  slightly-formed  cadaverous  men  ;  and  then, 
putting  about,  a  gun  is  fired,  and  she  is  off  again.  She 


8  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

soon  disappears  away  upon  the  wide  ocean  ;  and  the  waves 
once  more  roll  silently  in — their  glistening  surface  broken 
only  by  the  flapping  of  the  albatross  or  the  plunge  of  the 
osprey. 


I  direct  my  eyes  northward.  I  behold  a  belt  of  white 
sand  skirting  the  blue  water.  I  turn  towards  the  south,  and 
in  this  direction  perceive  a  similar  belt.  To  both  points  it 
extends  beyond  the  reach  of  vision — hundreds  of  miles 
beyond — forming,  like  a  ribbon  of  silver,  the  selvage  of  the 
Mexican  Sea.  It  separates  the  turquoise  blue  of  the  water 
from  the  emerald  green  of  the  forest,  contrasting  with  each 
by  its  dazzling  whiteness.  Its  surface  is  far  from  being 
level,  as  is  usual  with  the  ocean-strand.  On  the  contrary, 
its  millions  of  sparkling  atoms,  rendered  light  by  the  burn 
ing  sun  of  the  tropic,  have  been  lifted  on  the  wings  of  the 
wind,  and  thrown  into  hills  and  ridges  hundreds  of  feet  in 
height,  and  trending  in  every  direction  like  the  wreaths  of  a 
great  snow-drift.  I  advance  with  difficulty  over  these  naked 
ridges,  where  no  vegetation  finds  nourishment  in  the  inor 
ganic  heap.  I  drag  myself  wearily  along,  sinking  deeply 
at  every  step.  I  climb  sand-hills  of  strange  and  fantastic 
shapes,  cones,  and  domes,  and  roof-like  ridges,  where  the 
sportive  wind  seems  to  have  played  with  the  plastic  mass, 
as  children  with  potter's  clay.  I  encounter  huge  basins 
like  the  crater  of  volcanoes,  formed  by  the  circling  swirl  ; 
deep  chasms  and  valleys,  whose  sides  are  walls  of  sand, 
steep,  often  vertical,  and  not  unfrequently  impending  with 
comb-like  escarpments. 

All  these  features  may  be  changed  in  a  single  night,  by 
the  magical  breath  of  the  "  norther. "  The  hill  to-day  may 
become  the  valley  to-morrow,  and  the  elevated  ridge  have 
given  place  to  the  sunken  chasm. 

Upon  the  summits  of  these  sand-heights  I  am  fanned  by 


THE    LAND   OF   ANAHUAC.  9 

the  cool  breeze  from  the  Gulf.  I  descend  into  the  shel 
tered  gorges,  and  am  burned  by  a  tropic  sun,  whose  beams 
reflected  from  a  thousand  crystals,  torture  my  eyes  and  brain 
In  these  parts  the  traveler  is  often  the  victim  of  the  coup-de- 

soleil. 

*#*##* 

Yonder  comes  the  "  norte  "  /  Along  the  northern  horizon 
the  sky  suddenly  changes  from  light  blue  to  a  dark  lead 
color.  Sometimes  rumbling  thunder  with  arrowy  lightning 
portends  the  change  ;  but  if  neither  seen  nor  heard,  it  is 
soon  felt.  The  hot  atmosphere,  that,  but  a  moment  before, 
encased  me  in  its  glowing  embrace,  is  suddenly  pierced  by 
a  chill  breeze,  that  causes  my  skin  to  creep  and  my  frame  to 
shiver.  In  its  icy  breath  there  is  fever — there  is  death  ; 
for  it  carries  on  its  wings  the  dreaded  "  vomito."  The  breeze 
becomes  a  strong  wind — a  tempest.  The  sand  is  lifted  up 
wards,  and  floats  through  the  air  in  dun  clouds,  here  settling 
down,  and  there  rising  up  again.  I  dare  not  face  it,  any 
more  than  I  would  the  blast  of  the  simoon.  I  should  be 
blinded  if  I  did,  or  blistered  by  the  "  scud  "  of  the  angular 
atoms.  The  "  norther  "  continues  for  hours,  sometimes  for 
days.  It  departs  as  suddenly  as  it  came,  carrying  its  bane 
ful  influence  to  lands  farther  south. 

It  is  past,  and  the  sand-hills  have  assumed  a  different 
shape.  The  ridges  trend  differently.  Some  have  disap 
peared,  and  valleys  yawn  open  where  they  stood ! 

Such  are  the  shores  of  Anahuac — the  shores  of  the 
Mexican  Sea.  Without  commerce — almost  harborless — 
a  waste  of  sand  ;  but  a  waste  of  striking  appearance  and 
picturesque  beauty. 


To  horse  and  inwards  !     Adieu  to  the  bright  blue  waters 
of  the  Gulf  ! 

We  have  crossed  the  sand-ridges  of  the  coast,  and  are  rid- 


10 


THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 


ing  through  the  shadowy  aisles  of  the  forest.  It  is  a  tropical 
forest.  The  outlines  of  the  leaves,  their  breadth,  their  glowing 
colors  all  reveal  this.  The  eye  roams  with  delight  over  a  frond- 
age  that  partakes  equally  of  the  gold  and  the  green.  It  rev 
els  along  waxen  leaves,  as  those  of  the  magnolia,  the  plantain, 
and  the  banana.  It  is  led  upward  by  the  rounded  trunks  of 
the  palms,  that  like  columns  appear  to  support  the  leafy  can- 


Members  of  the  First  Families  of  Mexico. 

opy  above.  It  penetrates  the  network  of  vines,  or  follows  the 
diagonal  direction  of  gigantic  llianas,  that  creep  like  monster 
serpents  from  tree  to  tree.  It  gazes  with  pleased  wonder 
upon  the  huge  bamboo-briers  and  tree-ferns.  Wherever  it 
turns,  flowers  open  their  corollas  to  meet  its  delighted  glance 
— tropical  tree-flowers,  blossoms  of  the  scarlet  vine,  and 
trumpet-shaped  tubes  of  the  bignonia. 

I  turn  my  eyes  to  every  side,  and  gaze  upon  a  floral  to  me 
strange  and  interesting.     I  behold  th$  ta,ll  stems  of  the.  palma 


THE   LAND   OF  ANAHtJAC.  It 

real  rising  one  hundred  feet  without  leaf  or  branch,  and 
supporting  a  parachute  of  feathery  fronds  that  wave  to  the 
slightest  impulse  of  the  breeze.  Beside  it  I  see  its  constant 
companion,  the  Indian  cane — a  small  palm-tree,  whose 
slender  trunk  and  low  stature  contrast  oddly  with  the  colossal 
proportions  of  its  lordly  protector.  I  behold  the  "  corozo" 
of  the  same  genus  with  the  palma  real— its  light  feathery 
frondage  streaming  outwards  and  bending  downwards,  as  if 
to  protect  from  the  hot  sun  the  globe-shaped  nuts  that  hang 
in  grape-like  clusters  beneath.  I  see  the  "  abanico,"  with 
its  enormous  fan-shaped  leaves  ;  the  wax-palm  distilling  its 
resinous  gum  ;  and  the  "  acrocomia,"  with  its  thorny  trunk 
and  enormous  racemes  of  golden  fruits.  By  the  side  of  the 
stream  I  guide  my  horse  among  the  columnar  stems  of  the 
noble  coeva  which  has  been  enthusiastically  but  appropriate 
ly  termed  the  "  bread  of  life  "  (pan  de  vida). 

I  gaze  with  wonder  upon  the  ferns,  those  strange  creatures 
of  the  vegetable  world,  that  upon  the  hillsides  of  my  own  far 
island-home  scarce  reach  the  knee  in  hei'ght.  Here  they 
are  arborescent — tree-ferns — rivaling  their  cousins  the  palms 
in  stature,  and  like  them,  with  their  tall,  straight  stems  and 
lobed  leaves,  contributing  to  the  picturesqueness  of  the  land 
scape.  I  admire  the  beautiful  mammey  with  its  great  oval 
fruit  and  saffron  pulp.  I  ride  under  the  spreading  limbs  of 
the  mahogany-tree,  marking  its  oval  pinnate  leaves,  and  the 
egg-like  seed  capsules  that  hang  from  its  branches  ;  thinking 
as  well  of  the  brilliant  surfaces  that  lie  concealed  within  its 
dark  and  knotty  trunk.  Onward  I  ride,  through  glistening 
foliage  and  glowing  flowers,  that,  under  the  beams  of  a  tropic 
sun,  present  the  varying  hues  of  the  rainbow. 

There  is  no  wind — scarcely  a  breath  stirring;  yet  here  and 
there  the  leaves  are  in  motion.  The  wings  of  bright  birds 
flash  before  the  eye,  passing  from  tree  to  tree.  The  gaudy 
tanagers,  that  cannot  be  tamed — the  noisy  lories,  the  resplen 
dent  trogons,  the  toucans  with  their  huge  clumsy  bills,  and 


12  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

the  tiny  bee-birds  (the  trochiltand  colibri) — all  glance  through 
the  sunny  vistas. 

The  carpenter-bird — the  great  woodpecker — hangs  agains* 
the  decayed  trunk  of  some  dead  tree,  beating  the  hollow 
bark,  and  now  and  then  sounding  his  clarion  note,  which  is 
heard  to  the  distance  of  a  mile.  Out  of  the  under  wood 


An  Aerial  Republic.    Nest  of  the  Sociable  Weaver  Birds. 

springs  the  crested  curassow  ;  or,  basking  in  the  sun-lit 
glades,  with  outspread  wings  gleaming  with  metallic  luster, 
may  be  seen  the  beautiful  turkey  of  Honduras. 

The  graceful  roe  (cervus  Mexicanus]  bounds  forward, 
startled  by  the  tread  of  the  advancing-  horse.  The  caiman 
crawls  lazily  along  the  bank,  or  hides  his  hideous  body  under 
the  water  of  a  sluggish  stream,  and  the  not  less  hideous  form 
of  the  iguana,  recognized  by  its  serrated  crest,  is  seen 


THE    LAND   OF  ANAHUAC.  13 

crawling  up  the  tree-trunk  or  lying  along  the  slope  of  a  lliana. 
The  green  lizard  scuttles  along  the  path — the  basilisk  looks 
with  glistening  eyes  from  the  dark  interstices  of  some  cor 
rugated  vine — the  biting  geckotin  glides  among  the  dry  leaves 
in  pursuit  of  its  insect  prey — and  the  chameleon  advances 
sluggishly  along  the  branches,  while  it  assumes  their  color 
to  deceive  its  victims. 

Serpent  forms  present  themselves.  Now  and  then  the 
huge  boa  and  the  macaurel,  twining  the  trees.  The  great 
tiger-snake  is  seen  with  his  head  raised  half  a  yard  from  the 
surface  ;  the  cascabel,  too,  coiled  like  a  cable  ;  and  the  coral- 
snake  with  his  red  and  ringed  body  stretched  at  full  length 
along  the  ground.  The  two  last,  though  inferior  in  size  to 
the  boas,  are  more  to  be  dreaded  ;  and  my  horse  springs 
back  when  he  sees  the  one  glistening  through  the  grass,  or 
hears  the  "  skir-r-r-r  "  of  the  other  threatening  to  strike. 

Quadrupeds  and  quadrumana  appear.  The  red  monkey 
(mono  Colorado']  runs  at  the  traveler's  approach,  and,  flinging 
himself  from  limb  to  limb,  hides  among  the  vines  and  Tilland- 
sia  on  the  high  tree-tops  ;  and  the  tiny  ouistiti,  with  its  pretty, 
childlike  countenance,  peers  innocently  through  the  leaves ; 
while  the  ferocious  zambo  fills  the  woods  with  its  hideous, 
half-human  voice. 

The  jaguar  is  not  far  distant,  "laired"  in  the  secret 
depths  of  the  impenetrable  jungle.  His  activity  is  nocturnal, 
and  his  beautiful  spotted  body  may  not  be  seen  except 
by  the  silver  light  of  the  moon.  Roused  by  accident,  or 
pressed  by  the  dogs  of  the  hunter,  he  may  cross  my  path. 
So,  too,  may  the  ocelot  and  the  lynx ;  or,  as  I  ride  silently 
on,  I  may  chance  to  view  the  long,  tawny  form  of  the  Mex 
ican  lion,  crouched  upon  a  horizontal  limb,  and  watching  for 
the  timid  stag  that  must  pass  beneath.  I  turn  prudently 
aside,  and  leave  him  to  his  hungry  vigil. 

Night  brings  a  change.  The  beautiful  birds — the  par 
rots,  the  toucans,  and  the  trogons  all  go  to  rest  at  an 


14  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

early  hour;  and  other  winged  creatures  take  possession 
of  the  air.  Some  need  not  fear  the  darkness,  for  their 
very  life  is  light.  Such  are  the  "cocuyos,"  whose  brilliant 
lamps  of  green,  and  gold,  and  flame,  gleam  through  the  aisles 
of  the  forest,  until  the  air  seems  on  fire.  Such,  too,  are  the 
"gusanitos,"  the  female  of  which — a  wingless  insect,  like  a 
glow-worm — lies  along  the  leaf,  while  her  mate  whirrs  gaily 


Desperate  Encounter  with  a  Mexican  Jaguar. 

around,  shedding  his  most  captivating  gleams  as  he  woos 
her  upon  the  wing.  But,  though  light  is  the  life  of  these 
beautiful  creatures,  it  is  often  the  cause  of  their  death.  It 
guides  their  enemies — the  night  hawk  and  the  "  whip-poor- 
will,"  the  bat,  and  the  owl.  Of  these  last,  the  hideous  vam 
pire  may  be  seen  flapping  his  broad  dark  wings  in  quick, 
irregular  turnings,  and  the  great  "  lechuza  "  (strix  Mexicand), 
issuing  from  his  dark  tree-cave,  utters  his  fearful  notes,  that 


THE    LAND    OF   ANAHUAC.  1$ 

resemble  the  meanings  of  one  who  is  being  hanged.  Now 
may  be  heard  the  scream  of  the  cougar,  and  the  hoarser 
voice  of  the  Mexican  tiger.  Now  may  be  heard  the  wild, 


Moonlight  in  the  Tropics  :  Tapirs,  Ant-Eaters  and  Iguana. 

disagreeable  cries  of  the  howling  monkeys  (alouattes) ,  and 
the  barking  of  the  dog-wolf ;  and,  blending  with  these,  the 
croaking  of  the  tree-toads  and  the  shrill  tinkling  of  the  bell- 
frog.  Perhaps  the  air  is  no  longer,  as  in  the  day-time,  filled 
with  sweet  perfumes.  The  aroma  of  a  thousand  flowers  has 


l6  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

yielded  to  the  fetid  odor  of  the  skunk  (mephilis  chinga)-* 
for  that  singular  creature  is  abroad  ;  and  having  quarreled 
with  one  of  the  forest  denizens,  has  caused  all  of  them  to 
feel  the  power  of  its  resentment. 

Such  are  some  of  the  features  of  the  tropical  forest  that 
lies  between  the  Gulf  and  the  Mexican  mountains.  But  the 
aspect  of  this  region  is  not  all  wild.  There  are  cultivated 
districts — settlements,  though  far  apart. 

The  forest  opens,  and  the  scene  suddenly  changes.  Before 
me  is  aplantation — the  hacienda  of  a  "  rico."  There  are  wide 
fields  tilled  by  peon  serfs,  who  labor  and  sing ;  but  their 
song  is  sad.  Its  music  is  melancholy.  It  is  the  voice  of  a 
conquered  race. 

Yet  the  scene  around  them  is  gay  and  joyful.  All  but  the 
people  appears  to'prosper.  Vegetation  luxuriates  in  its  fullest 
growth.  Both  fruit  and  flower  exhibit  the  hues  of  a  perfect 
development.  Man  alone  seems  stunted  in  his  outlines. 

There  is  a  beautiful  stream  meandering  through  the  open 
fields  Its  waters  are  clear  and  cool.  They  are  the  melted 
snows  of  Orizava.  Upon  its  banks  grow  clumps  of  the  cocoa- 
palm  and  the  majestic  plantain.  There  are  gardens  upon 
its  banks,  and  orchards  filled  with  the  fruit-trees  of  the 
tropics.  I  see  the  orange  with  its  golden  globes,  the  sweet 
lime,  the  shaddock,  and  the  guava-tree.  I  ride  under  the 
shade  of  the  aguacate  (laurus  Persea),  and  pluck  the  luscious 
fruits  of  the  cherimolla.  The  breeze  blowing  over  fields 
carries  on  its  wings  the  aroma  of  the  coffee-tree,  the  indigo 
plant,  the  vanilla  bean,  or  the  wholesome  cacao  (theobroma 
cacao)  ;  and,  far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  I  see  glancing  gaily  in 
the  sun  the  green  spears  and  golden  tassels  of  the  sugar 
cane. 

Interesting  is  the  aspect  of  the  tropical  forest.  Not  less 
so  is  that  of  the  tropical yfc£/.  .  .  . 

I  ride  onward  and  inward  into  the  land.  I  am  gradually 
ascending  from  the  sea-level.  I  no  longer  travel  upon 


THE    LAND   OF   ANAHUAC.  Ij 

horizontal  paths,  but  over  hills  and  steep  ridges,  across  deep 
valleys  and  ravines.  The  hoof  of  my  horse  no  longer  sinks 
in  light  sand  or  dark  alluvion.  It  rings  upon  rocks  of  amyg 
daloid  and  porphyry.  The  soil  is  changed  ;  the  scenery  has 
undergone  a  change,  and  even  the  atmosphere  that  surrounds 


A  Sugar-cane  Plantation. 

me.  The  last  is  perceptibly  cooler,  but  not  yet  cold.  I  am 
still  in  the  piedmont  lands — the  tierras  calientes.  The  fern" 
pladas  are  yet  far  higher.  I  am  only  a  thousand  yards  01 
so  above  sea-level.  I  am  in  the  "  foot-hills  "of  the  Northern 
Andes. 

How  sudden  is  this  change  !     It  is  less  than  an  hour  sine* 


l8  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  parted  from  the  plains  below,  and  yet  the  surface-aspect 
around  me  is  like  that  of  another  land.  I  halt  in  a  wild  spot, 
and  survey  it  with  eyes  that  wander  and  wonder.  The  leaf 
is  less  broad,  the  foliage  less  dense,  the  jungle  more  open. 
There  are  ridges  whose  sides  are  nearly  naked  of  tree-timber. 
The  palms  have  disappeared,  but  in  their  place  grow  kindred 
forms  that  in  many  respects  resemble  them.  They  are,  in 
fact,  the  palms  of  the  mountains.  I  behold  the  great 
palmetto  (ckamarops),  with  its  fan-like  fronds  standing  out 
upon  long  petioles  from  its  lofty  summit ;  the  yuccas,  with 
their  bayonet-shaped  leaves,  ungraceful,  but  picturesque, 
with  ponderous  clusters  of  green  and  pulpy  capsules.  I 
behold  ihepita  aloe,  with  its  tall  flower-stalk  and  thorny  sun- 
scorched  leaves.  I  behold  strange  forms  of  the  cactus,  with 
their  glorious  wax-like  blossoms  ;  the  cochineal,  the  tuna, 
the  opuntias — the  great  tree-cactus  "  Foconoztle  "  (ppuntia 
arborescens)  and  the  tall  pitahaya  (cereus  giganteus),  with 
columnar  shafts  and  straight  upright  arms,  like  the  branches 
of  gigantic  candelabra ;  the  echino-cacti  too — those  huge 
mammals  of  the  vegetable  world,  resting  their  globular  or 
egg-shaped  forms,  without  trunk  or  stalk,  upon  the  surface 
of  the  earth. 

There,  too,  I  behold  gigantic  thistles  (cardonaks)  and 
mimosas,  both  shrubby  and  arborescent — the  tree-mimosa, 
and  the  sensitive  plant  (mimosa  frutescens),  that  shrinks  at 
my  approach,  and  closes  its  delicate  leaflets  until  I  have 
passed  out  of  sight.  This  is  the  favorite  land  of  the  acacia  ; 
and  immense  tracts,  covered  with  its  various  species,  form 
impenetrable  thickets  (ehapparals) .  I  distinguish  in  these 
thickets  the  honey-locust,  with  its  long  purple  legumes,  the 
"algarobo  "  (carob-tree),  and  the  thorny  "  mezquite  "  ;  and, 
rising  over  all  the  rest,  I  descry  the  tall,  slender  stem  of  the 
Fouquiera  splendens— with  panicles  of  tube-shaped  crimson 
flowers. 

There  is  less  of  animal  life  here;  but  even  these  wild 


THE    LAND   OF   ANAHUAC.  19 

ridges  have  their  denizens.  The  cochineal  insect  crawls 
upon  the  cactus  leaf,  and  huge  winged  ants  build  their  clay 
nests  upon  the  branches  of  the  acacia-tree.  The  ant-bear 
squats  upon  the  ground,  and  projects  his  glutinous  tongue 
over  the  beaten  highway,  where  the  busy  insects  rob  the 
mimosae  of  their  aromatic  leaves.  The  armadillo,  with  his 
bands  and  rhomboidal  scales,  takes  refuge  in  the  dry  recesses 
of  the  rocks,  or,  clewing  himself  up,  rolls  over  the  cliff  to 
escape  his  pursuer.  Herds  of  cattle,  half  wild,  roam  through 
the  grassy  glades,  or  over  the  tufted  ridges,  lowing  for  water ; 
and  black  vultures  (zopilotes)  sail  through  the  cloudless 
heavens,  waiting  for  some  scene  of  death  to  be  enacted  in 
the  thickets  below. 

Here,  too,  I  pass  through  scenes  of  cultivation.  Here  is 
the  hut  of  the  peon  and  the  rancho  of  the  small  proprietor ; 
but  they  are  structures  of  a  more  substantial  kind  than  in  the 
region  of  the  palm.  They  are  of  stone.  Here,  too,  is  the 
hacienda,  with  its  low  white  walls  and  prison-like  windows  ; 
and  the  pueblita,  with  its  church  and  cross  and  gaily  painted 
steeple.  Here  the  Indian  corn  takes  the  place  of  the  s'u gar- 
cane,  and  I  ride  through  wide  fields  of  the  broad-leafed 
tobacco-plant.  Here  grow  the  jalap  and  the  guaiacum,  the 
sweet-scented  sassafras  and  the  sanitary  copaiba. 

I  ride  onward,  climbing  steep  ridges  and  descending  into 
chasms  (barrancas)  that  yawn  deeply  and  gloomily.  Many 
of  these  are  thousands  of  feet  in  depth  ;  and  the  road  that 
enables  me  to  reach  their  bottoms  is  often  no  more  than  a 
narrow  ledge  of  the  impending  cliff,  running  terrace-like  over 
a  foaming  torrent. 

Still  onward  and  upward  I  go,  until  the  "foot-hills"  are 
passed,  and  I  enter  a  defile  of  the  mountains  themselves — a 
pass  of  the  Mexican  Andes. 

T  ride  through,  under  the  shadow  of  dark  forests  and 
rocks  of  blue  porphyry.  I  emerge  upon  the  other  side  of 
the  sierra.  A  new  scene  opens  before  my  eyes — a  scene  of 


20  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

such  soft  loveliness  that  I  suddenly  rein  up  my  horse,  and 
gaze  upon  it  with  mingled  feelings  of  admiration  and  as 
tonishment.  I  am  looking  on  one  of  the  "  valles  "  of  Mexico, 
those  great  table-plains  that  lie  within  the  Cordilleras  of  the 
Andes,  thousands  of  feet  above  ocean  level,  and,  along  with 
these  mountains,  stretching  from  the  tropic  almost  to  the 
shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea. 

The  plain  before  me  is  level,  as  though  its  surface  were 
liquid.  I  see  mountains  bounding  it  on  all  sides  ;  but  there 
are  passes  through  them  that  lead  into  other  plains  (valles). 
These  mountains  have  no  foot-hills.  They  stand  up  directly 
from  the  plain  itself,  sometimes  with  sloping  conical  sides — 
sometimes  in  precipitous  cliffs. 

I  ride  into  the  plain  and  survey  its  features.  There  is  no 
resemblance  to  the  land  I  have  left — the  tierra  caliente. 
I  am  now  in  the  tierra  templada.  New  objects  present  them 
selves — a  new  aspect  is  before,  a  new  atmosphere  around 
me.  The  air  is  colder,  but  it  is  only  the  temperature  of 
spring.  To  me  it  feels  chilly,  coming  so  lately  from  the  hot 
lands  below  ;  and  I  fold  my  cloak  closely  around  me,  and 
ride  on. 

The  view  is  open,  for  the  valle  is  almost  treeless.  The 
scene  is  no  longer  wild.  The  earth  has  a  cultivated  aspect 
— an  aspect  of  civilization:  for  these  high  plateaux — the 
tierras  templadas — are  the  seat  of  Mexican  civilization. 
Here  are  the  towns — the  great  cities,  with  their  rich  cathedrals 
and  convents — here  dwells  the  bulk  of  the  population.  Here 
the  rancho  is  built  of  unburnt  bricks  (adob'es) — a  mud  cabin, 
often  enclosed  by  hedges  of  the  columnar  cactus.  Here  are 
whole  villages  of  such  huts,  inhabited  by  the  dark-skinned 
descendants  of  the  ancient  Aztecs. 

Fertile  fields  are  around  me.  I  behold  the  maguey  of 
culture  (agave  Americana),  in  all  its  giant  proportions.  The 
lancelike  blades  of  the  zea  maize  wave  with  a  rich  rustling 
in  the  breeze,  for  here  that  beautiful  plant  grows  in  its 


THE    LAND   OF   ANAHUAC. 


21 


greatest  luxuriance.  Immense  plains  are  covered  with  wheat, 
with  capsicum,  and  the  Spanish  bean  (frijoles.)  My  eyes  are 
gladdened  by  the  sight  of  roses  climbing  along  the  wall  or 
twining  the  portal.  Here,  too,  the  potato  (solanum  tubero- 
sum)  flourishes  in  its  native  soil  ;  the  pear  and  the  pome 
granate,  the  quince  and  the  apple,  are  seen  in  the  orchard; 
and  the  cereals  of  the  temperate  zone  grow  side  by  side  with 
the  cucurbitaceae  of  the  tropics. 


Among  the  Aztecs.    A  Temple  of  the  Sun. 


I  pass  from  one  valle  into  another,  by  crossing  a  low 
ridge  of  the  dividing  mountains.  Mark  the  change  !  A  sur 
face  of  green  is  before  me,  reaching  on  all  sides  to  the 
mountain  foot ;  and  upon  this  roam  countless  herds,  tended 
by  mounted  "  vaqueros." 

I  pass  another  ridge,  and  another  valle  stretches  before 
me.  Again  a  change  !  A  desert  of  sand,  over  the  surface 
of  which  move  tall  dun  columns  of  swirling  dust,  like  the 
gigantic  phantoms  of  some  spirit-world.  I  look  into  another 


22  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 


and  behold  shining  waters  —  lakes  like  inland  seas-- 
with  sedgy  shores  and  surrounded  by  green  savannas,  and 
vast  swamps  covered  with  reeds  and  "  tulares  "  (bulrush). 

Still  another  plain,  black  with  lava  and  the  scoriae  of  ex 
tinct  volcanoes  —  black,  treeless  and  herbless  —  with  not  an 
atom  of  organic  matter  upon  its  desolate  surface. 

Such  are  the  features  of  the  plateau  land  —  varied,  and  vast, 
and  full  of  wild  interest. 

I  leave  it  and  climb  higher  —  nearer  to  the  sky  —  up  the 
steep  sides  of  the  Cordilleras  —  up  to  the  tierrafria. 


I  stand  ten  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ocean.  I 
am  under  the  deep  shadows  of  a  forest.  Huge  trunks  grow 
around  me,  hindering  a  distant  view.  Where  am  I  ?  Not  in 
the  tropic,  surely,  for  these  trees  are  of  a  northern  sylva.  I 
recognize  the  gnarled  limbs  and  lobed  leaves  of  the  oak, 
the  silvery  branches  of  the  mountain-ash,  the  cones  and 
needles  of  the  pine.  The  wind,  as  it  swirls  among  the  dead 
leaves,  causes  me  to  shiver ;  and  high  up  among  the  twigs 
there  is  the  music  of  winter  in  its  moaning.  Yet  I  am  in  the 
torrid  zone;  and  the  same  sun  that  now  glances  coldly 
through  the  boughs  of  the  oak,  but  a  few  hours  before 
scorched  me  as  it  glistened  from  the  fronds  of  the  palm- 
tree. 

The  forest  opens,  and  I  behold  hills  under  culture — fields 
of  hemp  and  flax,  and  the  hardy  cereals  of  the  frigid  zone. 
The  rancho  of  the  husbandman  is  a  log  cabin,  with  shingled 
roof  and  long  projecting  eaves,  unlike  the  dwellings  either 
of  the  great  valMs  or  the  turrets  calientes.  I  pass  the  smoking 
pits  of  the  "  carbonero,"  and  I  meet  the  "arriero  "  with  his 
"  atajo  "  of  mules  heavily  laden  with  ice  of  the  glaciers.  They 
are  passing  with  their  cargoes,  to  cool  the  wine-cups  in  the 
great  cities  of  the  plains.  .  .  . 

Upward  and  upward !    The  oak  is  left  behind,  and  the 


THE    LAND   OF   ANAHUAC.  23 

pine  grows  stunted  and  dwarfish.  The  wind  blows  colder 
and  colder.  A  wintry  aspect  is  around  me.  .  .  . 

Upward  still.  The  pine  disappears.  No  vegetable  form 
is  seen  save  the  mosses  and  lichens  that  cling  to  the  rocks, 
as  within  the  Arctic  Circle.  I  am  on  the  selvage  of  the  snow 
— the  eternal  snow.  I  walk  upon  glaciers,  and  through  their 
translucent  mass  I  behold  the  lichens  growing  beneath. 

The  scene  is  bleak  and  desolate,  and  I  am  chilled  to  the 
marrow  of  my  bones. 

Excelsior  I  excelsior!  The  highest  point  is  not  yet 
reached.  Through  drifts  of  snow  and  over  fields  of  ice,  up 
steep  ledges,  along  the  slippery  escarpment  that  overhangs 
the  giddy  absym,  with  wearied  knees,  and  panting  breath, 
and  frozen  fingers,  onward  and  upward  I  go.  Ha  !  I  have 
won  the  goal.  I  am  on  the  summit ! 

I  stand  on  the  "  cumbre  "  of  Orizava — the  mountain  of  the 
"  burning  star  " — more  than  three  miles  above  the  ocean  level. 
My  face  is  turned  to  the  east,  and  I  look  downward.  The 
snow — the  cincture  of  lichens  and  naked  rocks — the  dark  belt 
of  pines — the  lighter  foliage  of  the  oaks — the  fields  of  barley 
— the  waving  maize — the  thickets  of  yucca  and  acacia-trees — 
the  palm  forest — the  shore — the  sea  itself  with  its  azure  waves 
— all  these  at  a  single  vision  !  From  the  summit  of  Orizava 
to  the  shores  of  the  Mexican  sea,  I  glance  through  every 
gradation  of  the  thermal  line.  I  am  looking,  as  it  were,  from 
the  pole  to  the  equator  ! 

I  am  alone.  My  brain  is  giddy.  My  pulse  vibrates  ir 
regularly,  and  my  heart  beats  with  an  audible  distinctness. 
I  am  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  my  own  nothingness — an 
atom,  almost  invisible,  upon  the  breast  of  the  mighty  earth. 

I  gaze  and  listen.  I  see,  but  I  hear  not.  Here  is  sight, 
but  no  sound.  Around  me  reigns  an  awful  stillness — the 
sublime  silence  of  the  Omnipotent,  who  alone  is  here. 

Hark !  the  silence  is  broken  !  Was  it  the  rumbling  of 
thunder  ?  No.  It  was  the  crash  of  the  falling  avalanche.  I 


24  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

tremble  at  its  voice.     It  is  the  voice  of  the  Invisible — the 
whisper  of  a  God  !  .  .  . 
I  tremble  and  worship. 


Reader,  could  you  thus  stand  upon  the  summit  of  Ori- 
zava,  and  look  down  to  the  shores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf,  you 
would  have  before  you,  as  on  a  map,  the  scene  of  our  "  ad 
ventures." 


Hunting  Buffalo  on  the  Headwaters  of  the  Missouri. 


CHAPTER  II. 

AN  ADVENTURE  AMONG  THE  CREOLES  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 

N  the  "fall"  of 
1846, 1  found  my 
self  in  the  city  of 
New  Orleans,  fill 
ing  up  one  of  those 
pauses  that  occur  be 
tween  the  chapters  of  an 
eventful  life — doing  noth 
ing.  I  have  said  an 
eventful  life.  In  the  re 
trospect  of  ten  years,  I 
could  not  remember  as 
many  weeks  spent  in  one 
place.  I  had  traversed  the  continent  from  north  to  south, 
and  crossed  it  from  sea  to  sea.  My  foot  had  pressed  the 
summits  of  the  Andes,  and  climbed  the  Cordilleras  of  the 
Sierra  Madre.  I  had  steamed  it  down  the  Mississippi, 
and  sculled  it  up  the  Orinoco.  I  had  hunted  buffaloes 
with  the  Pawnees  of  the  Platte,  and  ostriches  upon  the 
pampas  of  the  Plata  :  to-day  shivering  in  the  hut  of  an 
Esquimaux — a  month  after,  taking  my  siesta  in  an  aery 
couch  under  the  gossamer  frondage  of  the  corozo  palm. 

2S 


26  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

I  had  eaten  raw  meat  with  the  trappers  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  roast  monkey  among  the  Mosquito  Indians ; 
and  much  more,  which  might  weary  the  reader,  and  ought 
to  have  made  the  writer  a  wiser  man.  But,  I  fear,  the  spirit 
of  adventure — its  thirst — is  within  me  slakeless.  I  had  just 
returned  from  a  "scurry  "  among  the  Comanches  of  Western 
Texas,  and  the  idea  of  "  settling  down"  was  as  far  from  my 
mind  as  ever. 


"  I  had  eaten  roast  monkey  among  the  Mosquito  Indians." 

"  What  next  ?  what  next  ?  "  thought  I.  "  Ha  !  the  war  with 
Mexico." 

The  war  between  the  United  States  and  that  country  had 
now  fairly  commenced.  My  sword — a  fine  Toledo,  taken 
from  a  Spanish  officer  at  San  Jacinto — hung  over  the  man 
tel,  rusting  ingloriously.  Near  it  were  my  pistols — a  pair  of 
Colt's  revolvers — pointing  at  each  other  in  sullen  muteness. 
A  warlike  ardor  seized  upon  me  ;  and  clutching,  not  the 
sword,  but  my  pen,  I  wrote  to  the  War  Department  for  a  com 
mission  ;  and,  summoning  all  my  patience,  awaited  the 
answer. 

But  I  waited  in  vain.     Every  bulletin  from  Washington  ex- 


AN  ADVENTURE  AMONG  THE  CREOLES.   2j 

hibited  its  list  of  new-made  officers,  but  my  name  appeared 
not  among  them.  In  New  Orleans— that  most  patriotic  of 
republican  cities — epaulettes  gleamed  upon  every  shoulder, 
whilst  I,  with  the  anguish  of  a  Tantalus,  was  compelled  to 
look  idly  and  enviously  on.  Despatches  came  in  daily  from 
the  seat  of  war  filled  with  newly-glorious  names  ;  and 
steamers  from  the  same  quarter  brought  fresh  batches 
of  heroes — some  legless,  some  armless,  and  others  with 
a  bullet-hole  through  the  cheek,  and  perhaps  the  loss  of  a 
dozen  teeth  or  so  ;  but  all  thickly  covered  with  laurels. 

November  came,  but  no  commission.  Impatience  and 
ennui  had  fairly  mastered  me.  The  time  hung  heavily  upon 
my  hands. 

"  How  can  I  best  pass  the  hour  ?  I  shall  go  to  the 
French  opera,  and  hear  Calve." 

Such  were  my  reflections  as  I  sat  one  evening  in  my  soli 
tary  chamber.  In  obedience  to  this  impulse,  I  repaired  to 
the  theater  ;  but  the  bellicose  strains  of  the  opera,  instead 
of  soothing,  only  heightened  my  warlike  enthusiasm,  and  I 
walked  homeward,  abusing,  as  I  went,  the  president  and  the 
Secretary-at-War,  and  the  whole  government— legislativejudi- 
cial,  and  executive.  "  Republics  are  ungrateful,"  solilo 
quized  I,  in  a  spiteful  mood.  "  I  have  '  surely  put  in  strong 
enough*  for  it ;  my  political  connections — besides,  the  gov 
ernment  owes  me  a  favor " 

"  Cl'ar  out,  ye  niggers  !     Dang  yer  !  what  de  yer  want  ?  " 

This  was  a  voice  that  reached  me  as  I  passed  through  the 
dark  corner  of  the  Faubourg  Treme.  Then  followed  some 
exclamations  in  French  ;  a  scuffle  ensued,  a  pistol  went  off, 
and  I  heard  the  same  voice  again  calling  out : 

"  Four  till  one  !     Injuns  !     Murder  !     Help,  hyur  !  " 

I  ran  up.  It  was  very  dark  ;  but  the  glimmer  of  a  distant 
lamp  enabled  me  to  perceive  a  man  out  in  the  middle  of  the 
street,  defending  himself  against  four  others.  He  was  a  man 
of  giant  size,  and  flourished  a  bright  weapon,  which  I  took 


28  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

to  be  a  bowie-knife,  while  his  assailants  struck  at  him  on  all 
sides  with  sticks  and  stilettoes.  A  small  boy  ran  back  and 
forth  upon  the  banquette,  calling  for  help. 

Supposing  it  to  be  some  street  quarrel,  I  endeavored  to 
separate  the  parties  by  remonstrance.  I  rushed  between  them 
holding  out  my  cane  ;  but  a  sharp  cut  across  the  knuckles, 
which  I  had  received  from  one  of  the  small  men,  together 
with  his  evident  intention  to  follow  it  up,  robbed  me  of  all 
zest  for  pacific  meditation  ;  and,  keeping  my  eye  upon  the 
one  who  had  cut  me,  I  drew  a  pistol  (I  could  not  otherwise 
defend  myself),  and  fired.  The  man  fell  dead  in  his  tracks, 
without  a  groan.  His  comrades,  hearing  me  recock,  took  to 
their  heels,  and  disappeared  up  a  neighboring  alley. 

The  whole  scene  did  not  occupy  the  time  you  have  spent 
in  reading  this  relation  of  it.  One  minute  I  was  plodding 
quietly  homeward  ;  the  next,  I  stood  in  the  middle  of  the 
street  ;  beside  me  a  stranger  of  gigantic  proportions ;  at  my 
feet  a  black  mass  of  dead  humanity,  half  doubled  up  in  the 
mud  as  it  had  fallen  ;  on  the  banquette,  the  slight,  shivering 
form  of  a  boy  ;  while  above  and  around  were  silence  and 
darkness. 

I  was  beginning  to  fancy  the  whole  thing  a  dream,  when 
the  voice  of  the  man  at  my  side  dispelled  this  illusion. 

"  Mister,"  said  he,  placing  his  arms  akimbo,  and  facing  me, 
"  if  ye'll  tell  me  yur  name,  I  ain't  a-gwine  to  forgit  it.  No, 
Bob  Linkin  ain't  that  sorter." 

"  What !  Bob  Lincoln  ?  Bob  Lincoln  of  the  Peaks  ? " 

In  the  voice  I  had  recognized  a  celebrated  mountain  trap 
per,  and  an  old  acquaintance,  whom  I  had  not  met  for  sev 
eral  years. 

"  Why,  I'll  be  scalped  !  it  ain't  you,  Cap'n  Haller  ?  May 
I  be  dog-goned  if  it  ain't !  Whooray  ! — whoop  !  I  knowed 
it  warn't  no  storekeeper  fired  that  shot.  Haroo  !  whar  are 
yur,  Jack  ? " 


AN  ADVENTURE  AMONG  THE  CREOLES.   29 

"  Here  1  am  !  "  answered  the  boy,  from  the  pavement 

"  Kum  hyur,  then.     Ye  ain't  badly  skeert,  air  yur  ?" 

"  No,  "  firmly  responded  the  boy,  crossing  over. 

"  I  tuk  him  from  a  scoundrelly  Crow,  thet  I  overhauled  on 
a  fork  of  the  Yellerstone.  He  gin  me  a  long  pedigree  ;  that 
is,  afore  I  kilt  the  skunk.  He  made  out  as  how  his  people 
hed  tuk  the  boy  from  the  Kimanches,  who  hed  brought  him 
from  somewhar  down  the  Grande.  I  know'd  it  wur  all  bam 
boozle.  The  boy's  white — American  white.  Who  ever  seed 
a  yeller-hided  Mexikin  with  them  eyes  and  ha'r  ?  Jack,  this 
hyur's  Cap'n  Haller.  If  yur  kin  iver  save  his  life  bygivin' 
yur  own,  yur  must  do  it,  de  ye  hear?  " 

"  I  will,"  said  the  boy  resolutely. 

"  Come,  Lincoln,"  I  interposed,  "  these  conditions  are  not 
necessary.  You  remember  I  was  in  your  debt." 

"Ain't  worth  mentioning  cap  ;  let  bygones  be  bygones  !  " 

"  But  what  brought  you  to  New  Orleans  ?  or,  more  particu 
larly,  how  came  you  into  this  scrape  ? " 

u  Wai,  cap'n,  bein'  as  the  last  question  is  the  most  par- 
tickler,  I'll  gin  yur  the  answer  to  it  fust.  I  had  jest  twelve 
dollars  in  my  pouch,  an'  I  tuk  a  idee  inter  my  head  thet  I 
mout  as  well  double  it.  So  I  stepped  into  a  shanty  whar 
they  wur  a-playin'  craps.  After  bettin'  a  good  spell,  I  won 
somewhar  about  a  hundred  dollars.  Not  likin'  the  sign  I 
seed  about,  I  tuk  Jack  and  put  out.  Wai,  jest  as  I  was 
kummin'  roun'  this  hyur  corner,  four  fellers — them  ye  seed — 
run  out  and  jumped  me,  like  so  many  catamounts.  I  tuk 
them  for  the  same  chaps  I  had  seed  parleyvooin'  at  the 
craps  table  ;  and  tho't  they  were  only  jokin',  till  one  of  them 
gin  me  a  sockdolloger  over  the  head,  an'  fired  a  pistol.  I 
then  drewed  my  bowie,  an'  the  skrimmage  begun  ;  an'  thet's 
all  I  know  about  it,  cap'n,  more'n  yurself. 

"  Let's  see  if  it's  all  up  with  this'n,"  continued  the  hunter, 
stooping.  "  I'deed,  yes,"  he  drawled  out  ;  "  dead  as  a  buck. 
Thunder  !  ye've  gin  it  him  atween  the  eyes,  plum  !  He  u 


30  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

one  of  the  fellers,  es  my  name's  Bob  Linkin.     I  kud  sw'ar 
to  them  mowstaches  among  a  million." 

At  this  moment  a  patrol  of  night  gendarmes  came  up ; 
and  Lincoln,  and  Jack,  and  myself  were  carried  off  to  the 
calaboose,  where  we  spent  the  remainder  of  the  night.  In 
the  morning  we  were  brought  before  the  recorder ;  but  I 
had  taken  the  precaution  to  send  for  some  friends,  who 
introduced  me  to  his  worship  in  a  proper  manner.  As  my 
story  corroborated  Lincoln's,  and  his  mine,  and  "  Jack's  "  sub 
stantiated  both ;  and  as  the  comrades  of  the  dead  Creole  did 
not  appear,  and  he  himself  was  identified  by  the  police  as 
a  notorious  robber,  the  recorder  dismissed  the  case  as  one 
of  "  justifiable  homicide  in  self-defense ;  "  and  the  hunter  and 
I  were  permitted  to  go  our  way  without  further  interruption. 


cheon,   as 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  VOLUNTEER  RENDEZVOUS. 

OW,  Cap,"  said  Lincoln,  as  we  seated 
ourselves  at  the  table  of  a  cafe*,  "  I'll 
answer  t'other  question  yur  put  last 
night.  I  wur  up  on  the  head  of  Ar- 
kansaw,  an'  hearin'  they  wur  raisin* 
volunteers  down  hyur,  I  kim  down  ter 
jine.  It  ain't  often  I  trouble  the 
settlements ;  but  I've  a  mighty  pun- 
the  Frenchmen  says,  to  hev  a  crack  at  them 
yeller-bellies.  I  hain't  forgot  a  mean  trick  they  sarved  me 
two  yeern  ago,  up  thar  by  Santer  F^." 

"  And  so  you  have  joined  the  volunteers  ?  " 
"That's  sartin.  But  why  ain't  you  a-gwine  to  Mexico? 
That  'ere's  a  wonder  to  me,  cap,  why  you  ain't.  Thur's  a 
mighty  grist  o'  venturin',  I  heern  ;  beats  Injun  fightin*  all 
holler,  an'  yur  jest  the  beaver  I'd  'spect  to  find  in  that  'ar 
dam.  Why  don't  you  go  ?  " 

"  So  I  purposed  long  since,  and  wrote  on  to  Washington 
for  a  commission  ;  but  the  government  seems  to  have  for 
gotten  me." 

'•  Dod  rot  the  government !  git  a  commission  for  yourself." 
"How?"  I  asked. 

3' 


32  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"Jine  us,  an'  be  illected — thet's  how." 

This  had  crossed  my  mind  before ;  but,  believing  myseli 
a  stranger  among  these  volunteers,  I  had  given  up  the  idea. 
Once  joined,  he  who  failed  in  being  elected  an  officer  was 
fated  to  shoulder  a  firelock.  It  was  a  neck  or  nothing  then. 
Lincoln  set  things  in  a  new  light.  They  were  strangers  to 
each  other,  he  affirmed,  and  my  chances  of  being  elected 
would  therefore  be  as  good  as  any  man's. 

"  I'll  tell  yur  what  it  is,"  said  he ;  "  yur  kin  kum  with  me 
ter  the  rendevooz,  an'  see  for  yourself;  but  if  ye'll  only 
jine,  an'  licker  freely,  I'll  lay  a  pack  o'  beaver  agin  the  skin 
of  a  mink  that  they'll  illect  ye  captain  of  the  company." 

"  Even  a  lieutenancy,"  I  interposed. 

"Ne'er  a  bit  of  it,  cap.  Go  the  bigfigger.  'Tain't  more 
nor  yur  entitled  to.  I  kin  git  yur  a  good  heist  among  some 
hunters  thet's  thur  ;  but  thar's  a  Buffalo  drove  o'  them 
parleyvoos,  an'  a  feller  among  'em,  one  of  those  hyur  cree- 
holes,  that's  been  a-showin'  off  and  fencin'  with  a  pair  of 
skewers  from  mornin'  till  night.  I'd  be  dog-gone  glad  to 
see  the  starch  taken  out  o'  that  feller." 

I  took  my  resolution.  In  half  an  hour  after  I  was  stand 
ing  in  a  large  hall  or  armory.  It  was  the  rendezvous  of  the 
volunteers,  nearly  all  of  whom  were  present;  and  perhaps 
a  more  variegated  assemblage  was  never  grouped  together. 
Every  nationality  seemed  to  have  its  representative;  and 
for  variety  of  language  the  company  might  have  rivaled  the 
masons  of  Babel. 

Near  the  head  of  the  room  was  a  table,  upon  which  lay 
a  large  parchment,  covered  with  signatures.  I  added  mine 
to  the  list.  In  the  act  I  had  staked  my  liberty.  It  was  an 
oath. 

"  These  are  my  rivals — the  candidates  for  office,  '  thought 
I,  looking  at  a  group  who  stood  near  the  table.  They  were 
men  of  better  appearance  than  the  ol  xoMot.  Some  of  them 
already  affected  a  half-undress  uniform,  and  most  wore 


A   VOLUNTEER    RENDEZVOUS.  33 

forage-caps  with  glazed  covers,  and  army  buttons,  over  the 
ears. 

"  Ha  !  Clayley  !  "  said  I,  recognizing  an  old  acquaintance. 
This  was  a  young  cotton-planter — a  free  dashing  spirit — who- 
had  sacrificed  a  fortune  at  the  shrines  of  Momus  and  Bacchus. 

"  Why,  Haller,  old  fellow  !  glad  to  see  you.  How  have 
you  been  ?  Think  of  going  with  us  ? " 

"  Yes,  I  have  signed.     Who  is  that  man  ?  " 

"  He's  a  Creole  ;  his  name  is  Dubrosc." 

It  was  a  face  purely  Norman,  and  one  that  would  halt  the 
wandering  eye  in  any  collection.  Of  oval  outline,  framed  by 
a  profusion  of  black  hair,  wavy  and  perfumed.  A  round 
black  eye,  spanned  by  brows  arching  and  glossy.  Whiskers 
that  belonged  rather  to  the  chin,  leaving  bare  the  broad 
jawbone,  expressive  of  firmness  and  resolve.  Firm  thin 
lips,  handsomely  mustached;  when  parted,  displaying  teeth 
well  set  and  of  dazzling  whiteness.  A  face  that  might  be 
called  beautiful ;  and  yet  its  beauty  was  of  that  negative  order 
which  we  admire  in  the  serpent  and  the  pard.  The  smile 
was  cynical ;  the  eye  cold,  yet  bright ;  but  the  brightness 
was  altogether  animal — more  the  light  of  instinct  than  intel 
lect.  A  face  that  presented  in  its  expression  a  strange  ad 
mixture  of  the  lovely  and  the  hideous — physically  fair, 
morally  dark — beautiful,  yet  brutal  ! 

From  some  undefinable  cause,  I  at  once  conceived  for 
this  man  a  strange  feeling  of  dislike.  It  was  he  of  whom 
Lincoln  had  spoken,  and  who  was  likely  to  be  my  rival  for 
the  captaincy.  Was  it  this  that  rendered  him  repulsive  ? 
No.  There  was  a  cause  beyond.  In  him  I  recognized  one 
of  those  abandoned  natures  who  shrink  from  all  honest  labor, 
and  live  upon  the  sacrificial  fondness  of  some  weak  being 
who  has  been  enslaved  by  their  personal  attractions.  There 
are  many  such.  I  have  met  them  in  ihejardins  of  Paris  ;  in 
the  casinos  of  London  ;  in  the  cafe's  of  Havana,  and  the 
"  quadroon  "  balls  of  New  Orleans — everywhere  in  the 
3 


34  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

crowded  haunts  of  the  world.     I  have  met  them  with  an  in 
stinct  of  loathing — an  instinct  of  antagonism. 

"  The  fellow  is  likely  to  be  our  captain,"  whispered 
Clayley,  noticing  that  I  observed  the  man  with  more  than 
ordinary  attention.  "  By  the  way,"  continued  he,  "  I  don't 
half  like  it.  I  believe  he's  an  infernal  scoundrel." 

"Such  are  my  impressions.  But  if  that  be  his  charac 
ter,  how  can  he  be  elected 

"  Oh !  no  one  here  knows  another ;  and  this  fellow  is  a 
splendid  swordsman,  like  all  the  Creoles,  you  know.  He  has 
used  the  trick  to  advantage,  and  has  created  an  impression. 
By  the  bye,  now  I  recollect,  you  are  no  slouch  at  that  your 
self.  What  are  you  up  for  ?  " 

"  Captain,"  I  replied. 

"  Good  !  Then  we  must  go  the  *  whole  hog '  in  your  favor. 
I  have  put  in  for  the  first  lieutenancy,  so  we  won't  run  foul 
of  each  other.  Let  us  *  hitch  teams.'  " 

"With  all  my  heart,"  said  I. 

"  You  came  in  with  that  long-bearded  hunter.  Is  he  your 
friend  ? " 

"  He  is." 

"  Then  I  can  tell  you  that  among  these  fellows  he's  a 
"  whole  team,  and  a  cross  dog  under  the  wagon  "  to  boot. 
See  him  !  he's  at  it  already." 

I  had  noticed  Lincoln  in  conversation  with  several  leather- 
legging  gentry  like  himself,  whom  I  knew  from  their  costume 
and  appearance  to  be  backwoodsmen.  All  at  once  these 
saturnine  characters  commenced  moving  about  the  room, 
and  entering  into  conversation  with  men  whom  they  had 
not  hitherto  deigned  to  notice. 

"They  are  canvassing,"  said  Clayley. 

Lincoln,  brushing  past,  whispered  in  my  ear,  "  Cap'n,  I 
understan'  these  hyur  critters  better  'n  you  kin.  Yer  must 
mix  among  'em — mix  and  licker — thet's  the  idee. 

"  Good  advice,"  said  Clayley  ;  but  if  you  could  only  take 


A  VOLUNTEER   RENDEZVOUS.  35 

the  shine  out  of  that  fellow  at  fencing,  the  thing's  done  at 
once.     By  Jove  !  I  think  you  might  do  it,  Haller !  " 

"  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  try,  at  all  events." 

"  Not  until  the  last  day — a  few  hours  before  the  election/ 

"  You  are  right.  It  would  be  better  to  wait — I  shall  take 
your  advice.  In  the  meantime  let  us  follow  that  of  Lincoln 
— '  mix  and  licker.'  " 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  "  laughed  Clayley  ;  "  let  us  come,  boys  !  "  he 
added,  turning  to  a  very  thirsty-looking  group,  "  let's  all 
take  a  '  smile.'  Here,  Captain  Haller  !  allow  me  to  intro 
duce  you  ;  "  and  the  next  moment  I  was  introduced  to  a 
crowd  of  very  seedy-looking  gentlemen,  and  the  moment 
after  we  were  clinking  glasses,  and  chatting  as  familiarly  as 
if  we  had  been  friends  of  forty  years  standing. 

******* 

During  the  next  three  days  the  enrolment  continued,  and 
the  canvass  was  kept  up  with  energy.  The  election  was 
to  take  place  on  the  evening  of  the  fourth. 

Meanwhile  my  dislike  for  my  rival  had  been  strengthened 
by  closer  observation  ;  and,  as  is  general  in  such  cases,  the 
feeling  was  reciprocal. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  day  in  question  we  stood  before 
each  other,  foil  in  hand,  both  of  us  nerved  by  an  intense 
though  as  yet  unspoken,  enmity.  This  had  been  observed 
by  most  of  the  spectators,  who  approached  and  formed  a 
circle  around  us ;  all  of  them  highly  interested  in  the  result 
— which,  they  knew,  would  be  an  index  to  the  election. 

The  room  was  an  armory,  and  all  kinds  of  weapons  for 
military  practise  were  kept  in  it.  Each  had  helped  himself 
to  his  foil.  One  of  the  weapons  was  without  a  button,  and 
sharp  enough  to  be  dangerous  in  the  hands  of  an  angry 
man.  I  noticed  that  my  antagonist  had  chosen  this  one. 

"Your  foil  is  not  in  order;  it  has  lost  the  button,  has  it 
not  ?  "  I  observed. 

"  Ah  I  monsieur,  pardon.     I  did  not  perceive  that." 


36  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  A  strange  oversight,"  muttered  Clayley,  with  a  signifi 
cant  glance. 

The  Frenchman  returned  the  imperfect  foil,  and  took  an 
other. 

"  Have  you  a  choice,  monsieur?  "     I  inquired. 

"  No,  thank  you  ;  I  am  satisfied." 

By  this  time  every  person  in  the  rendezvous  had  come  up, 
and  waited  with  breathless  anxiety.  We  stood  face  to  face, 
more  like  two  men  about  to  engage  in  a  deadly  duel  than  a 
pair  of  amateurs  with  blunt  foils.  My  antagonist  was  evi 
dently  a  practised  swordsman.  I  could  see  that  as  he  came 
to  guard.  As  for  myself,  the  small-sword  exercise  had  been 
a  foible  of  my  college  days,  and  for  years  I  had  not  met 
my  match  at  it ;  but  just  then  I  was  out  of  practise. 

We  commenced  unsteadily.  Both  were  excited  by  un 
usual  emotions,  and  our  first  thrusts  were  neither  skilfully 
aimed  nor  parried.  We  fenced  with  the  energy  of  anger, 
and  the  sparks  crackled  from  the  friction  of  the  grazing 
steel.  For  several  minutes  it  was  a  doubtful  contest ;  but  I 
grew  cooler  every  instant,  while  a  slight  advantage  I  had 
gained  irritated  my  adversary.  At  length,  by  a  lucky  hit, 
I  succeeded  in  planting  the. button  of  my  foil  upon  his 
cheek.  A  cheer  greeted  this,  and  I  could  hear  the  voice  of 
Lincoln  shouting  out : 

"  Wai  done,  cap'n  !  whooray  for  the  mountain-men  !  " 

This  added  to  the  exasperation  of  the  Frenchman,  caus 
ing  him  to  strike  wilder  than  before  ;  and  I  found  no  diffi 
culty  in  repeating  my  former  thrust.  It  was  now  a  sure  hit ; 
and  after  a  few  passes  I  thrust  my  adversary  for  the  third 
time,  drawing  blood.  The  cheer  rang  out  louder  than  be 
fore.  The  Frenchman  could  no  longer  conceal  his  mortifi 
cation  ;  and,  grasping  his  foil  in  both  hands,  he  snapped  it 
over  his  knee,  with  an  oath.  Then,  muttering  some  word 
about  "  better  weapons "  and  "  another  opportunity,"  Iv 
strode  off  among  the  spectators. 


A  VOLUNTEER   RENDEZVOUS. 


37 


Two  hours  after  the  combat  I  was  his  captain.  Clayley 
was  elected  first  lieutenant ;  and  in  a  week  from  that  time 
the  company  was  "  mustered "  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  government,  and  armed  and  equipped  as  an 
independent  corps  of  Rifle  Rangers.  On  the  20th  of  Jan 
uary,  1847,  a  noble  ship  was  bearing  us  over  the  blue  water, 
toward  the  shores  of  a  hostile  land. 


Flying-fish  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

LIFE  ON  THE  ISLAND  OF  LOBOS. 

FTER  calling  at  Brazos  Santiago,  we 
were  ordered  to  land  upon  the  island 
of  Lobos,  fifty  miles  north  of  Vera 
Cruz.  This  was  to  be  our  "drill 
rendezvous."  We  soon  reached  the 
island.  Detachments  from  several 
regiments  debarked  together  ;  the  jungle  was  attacked ;  and  in 
a  few  hours  the  green  grove  had  disappeared,  and  in  its  place 
stood  the  white  pyramids  of  canvas  with  their  floating  flags. 
It  was  the  work  of  a  day.  When  the  sun  rose  over  Lobos  it 
was  a  desert  isle,  thickly  covered  with  a  jungle  of  mangrove, 
manzanel,  and  icaco-trees,  green  as  an  emerald.  How 
changed  the  scene  !  When  the  moon  looked  down  upon  this 
same  islet  it  seemed  as  if  a  warlike  city  had  sprung  sud 
denly  out  of  the  sea,  with  a  navy  at  anchor  in  front  of  its 
bannered  walls  ! 

In  a  few  days  six  full  regiments  had  encamped  upon  the 
3* 


LIFE   ON   THE   ISLAND   OF   LOBOS.  39 

hitherto  uninhabited  island,  and  nothing  was  heard  but  the 
voice  of  war. 

These  regiments  were  all  "  raw "  ;  and  my  duty,  with 
others,  consisted  in  "  licking  them  into  shape."  It  was 
drill,  drill,  from  morning  till  night ;  and,  by  early  tattoo,  I 
was  always  glad  to  crawl  into  my  tent  and  go  to  sleep — such 
sleep  as  a  man  can  get  among  scorpions,  lizards,  and  soldier- 
crabs  ;  for  the  little  islet  seemed  to  have  within  its  bound 
aries  a  specimen  of  every  reptile  that  came  safely  out  of  the 
ark. 

The  22d  of  February  being  Washington's  birthday,  I 
could  not  get  to  bed  as  usual.  I  was  compelled  to  accept 
an  invitation,  obtained  by  Clayley,  to  the  tent  of  Major 
Twing,  where  they  were — using  Clayley's  own  words — "  to 
have  a  night  of  it." 

After  tattoo  we  set  out  for  the  major's  marquee,  which  lay 
near  the  center  of  the  islet,  in  a  coppice  of  caoutchouc- 
trees.  We  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  it,  guided  by  the 
jingling  of  glasses  and  the  mingling  of  many  voices  in 
boisterous  laughter. 

As  we  came  near,  we  could  perceive  that  the  marquee,  had 
been  enlarged  by  the  tucking  the  flaps  in  front,  with  the  addi 
tion  of  a  fly  stretched  over  an  extra  ridge-pole.  Several 
pieces  of  rough  plank,  spirited  away  from  the  ships,  resting 
upon  empty  bread-barrels,  formed  the  table.  Upon  this 
might  be  recognized  every  variety  of  bottles,  glasses,  and  cups. 
Open  boxes  of  sardines,  piles  of  ship-biscuits,  and  seg 
ments  of  cheese,  filled  the  intervening  spaces.  Freshly- 
drawn  corks  and  glistening  fragments  of  lead  were  strewed 
around,  while  a  number  of  dark  conical  objects  under  the 
table  told  that  not  a  few  champagne  bottles  were  already 
"  down  among  the  dead  men." 

On  each  side  of  the  table  was  a  row  of  colonels,  cap 
tains,  subalterns,  and  doctors  seated  without  regard  to  rank 
or  age,  according  to  the  order  in  which  they  had  "  dropped 


40  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

in."  There  were  also  some  naval  officers,  and  a  sprinkling 
of  strange,  half-sailor-looking  men,  the  skippers  of  trans 
port  brigs,  steamboats,  etc. ;  for  Twing  was  a  thorough  re 
publican  in  his  entertainments  ;  besides,  the  day  leveled  all 
distinctions. 

At  the  head  of  the  table  was  the  major  himself — one  of 
those  wiry,  hard-headed,  hard-drinking  devils,  who  always 
carried  a  large  pewter  flask  suspended  from  his  shoulders 
by  a  green  string ;  and  without  this  flask  no  one  ever  saw 
Major  Twing.  He  could  not  have  stuck  to  it  more  closely 
had  it  been  his  badge  of  rank.  It  was  not  unusual,  on  the 
route,  to  hear  some  wearied  officer  exclaim  :  "  If  I  only  had 
a  pull  at  old  Twing's  pewter!"  and  "equal  to  Twing's 
flask"  was  an  expression  which  stamped  the  quality  of  any 
liquor  as  superfine.  Such  was  one  of  the  major's  peculiar 
ities,  though  by  no  means  the  only  one. 

As  my  friend  and  I  made  our  appearance  under  the  fly, 
the  company  was  in  high  glee,  everyone  enjoying  himself 
with  that  freedom  from  restraint  of  rank  peculiar  to  the 
American  army-service.  Clayley  was  a  great  favorite  with 
the  major,  and  at  once  caught  his  eye. 

"  Ha,  Clayley !  that  you  ?  Walk  in  with  your  friend. 
Find  seats  there,  gentlemen." 

"  Captain  Haller — Major  Twing,"  said  Clayley,  introduc 
ing  me. 

"  Happy  to  know  you,  captain.  Can  you  find  seats 
there  ?  No.  Come  up  this  way.  Cudjo,  boy  !  run  over  to 
Colonel  Marshall's  tent,  and  steal  a  couple  of  stools.  Adge  ! 
twist  the  neck  off  that  bottle.  Where's  the  screw  ?  Hang 
that  screw  ?  Where  is  it  anyhow  ?  " 

"  Never  mind  the  screw,  mage,"  cried  the  adjutant ;  I've 
got  a  patent  universal  here."  So  saying,  this  gentleman 
held  out  a  champagne  bottle  in  his  left  hand,  and  with  a 
down-stroke  of  his  right  cut  the  neck  off,  as  square  as  if  it 
had  been  filed ! 


LIFE   ON   THE   ISLAND   OF   LOBOS.  41 

"  Nate  !  "  ejaculated  Hennessy,  an  Irish  officer,  who  sat 
near  the  head  of  the  table  and  who  evidently  admired  that 
sort  of  thing. 

"  What  we  call  a  Kentucky  corkscrew,"  said  the  adjutant 
coolly.  "  It  offers  a  double  advantage.  It  saves  time,  and 
you  get  the  wine  clear  of " 

"  My  respects,  gentlemen  !    Captain  Haller — Mr.  Clayley." 

"  Thank  you,  Major  Twing.     To  you,  sir." 

"  Ha  !  the  stools  at  last !  Only  one  !  What  the  deuce, 
Cudjo  !  Come,  gentlemen,  squeeze  yourselves  up  this  way. 
Here,  Clayley,  old  boy ;  here's  a  cartridge  box.  Adge ! 
up-end  that  box.  So — give  us  your  fist,  old  fellow ;  how 
are  you  ?  Sit  down,  captain  ;  sit  down.  Cigars,  there  !  " 

As  soon  as  we  had  got  seated,  several  voices  were  heard 
vociferating,  "  The  song  !  the  song  !  round  with  the  song  !  " 
and  I  learnt  that  the  order  of  the  night  was  "  a  song,  a  story, 
or  half  a  dozen  bottles  of  champagne." 

"  Sibley's  turn  next ! "  shouted  one. 

"  Sibley  !    Sibley  !  "  cried  several  voices. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  the  officer  called  upon,  a  young 
South  Carolinian,  "  as  I  make  no  pretensions  to  singing,  I 
will  endeavor  to  clear  the  forfeit  by  a  story." 

"  Good  !  a  story,  by  all  means — nothing  like  variety." 

"  Liftinant,  take  a  trifle  of  the  squeezed  lemon  before  ye 
begin." 

''Thank  you,  Captain  Hennessy.     Your  health,  sir!" 


Tortoise  and  Rattlesnake,  Isle  of  Lobos. 


CHAPTER  V. 

LIEUTENANT  SIBLEY's  STORY  OF  A   GEORGIA  HOTEL. 


ELL,    gentlemen,    about 
six   months    ago   I   had 
occasion  to  make  a  jour 
ney    to    Pensacola     on 
horseback.     My  road  from  South 
Carolina,  of  course,  lay  through 
the  State  of  Georgia. 

"  It  is  well  known,  gentlemen, 
that  there  are  large  tracts  in  the 
territory  of  our  southern  neighbor 
that  have  proved  very  ungrateful 
to  the  labors  of  the  husbandman. 
These  districts  are,  in  consequence, 
but  sparsely  settled,  and  ill-provided  with  the  necessaries 
of  life." 

Here  the  lieutenant  looked  significantly  towards  the  major, 
who  was  a  thoroughbred  Georgian. 

"  On   the  third  day  of  my  journey  I  had  ridden  about 
42 


LIEUTENANT   SIBLEY's   STORY.  43 

twenty  miles  through  one  of  these  tracts — a  dry  pine  barren 
— without  having  caught  the  first  glimpse  of  a  human  habita 
tion.  I  was  faint  with  hunger  and  thirst ;  so  was  my  horse, 
who  stretched  out  his  neck  and  moaned  piteously,  as  each 
new,  and  apparently  illimitable,  prospect  of  the  hot,  sandy 
road  opened  before  us.  There  was  no  help  for  it,  however ; 
so  we  jogged  on  painfully — both  of  us  keeping  a  sharp  look 
ahead.  You  cannot  fancy  my  delight  when,  on  turning  a 
corner,  I  saw  before  me  a  large  and  substantial  log  house, 
with  a  pine  mast  stuck  up  before  the  door,  and  a  broad 
swinging  sign,  upon  which  was  legible,  in  bold  characters, 
the  word  '  Hotel.' 

"  I  rubbed  my  eyes,  and  then  shaded  them  with  my  hand, 
to  make  sure  it  was  not  the  mirage,  which  frequently  makes 
its  appearance  upon  these  sandy  plains.  But,  no  ;  it  was  a 
house,  and,  better  still,  a  hotel. 

"  I  straightened  myself  in  the  saddle.  My  horse  whin 
nied  and  stepped  out  cheerily.  "  Come,"  said  I,  patting 
him  on  the  neck,  "  we're  through  it  at  last,  old  fellow ;  you'll 
soon  be  up  to  your  ears  in  the  best  of  Georgia  corn,  and 
I — "  Here  the  anticipated  enjoyment  of  ham  and  eggs,  fried 
chicken,  strong  coffee,  hot  biscuit  and  waffles,  deprived  me 
of  the  power  of  speech,  and  I  rode  up  to  the  "  hotel "  in 
silence. 

*'  As  I  got  nearer  the  house,  it  began  to  look  weather- 
beaten  and  desolate-like,  and  I  was  growing  fearful  that  it 
might  be  uninhabited  ;  but,  no — there  sat  the  landlord  in 
the  porch,  and  his  two  sons.  "  It's  all  right,"  thought  I; 
so  I  rode  up,  and  drew  bridle  in  front  of  the  door. 

"  So  far,  the  three  individuals  whom  I  had  observed  in 
the  porch — three  sallow,  dry-looking  chaps,  in  their  shirt 
sleeves — had  not  moved  an  inch.  I  am  not  certain  that 
they  even  changed  the  direction  of  their  eyes.  A  couple  of 
gaunt,  yellow  dogs,  that  lay  on  the  stoop,  remained  equally 
motionless. 


44  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  '  Come/  thought  I,  *  this  is  cool  for  people  who  keep  a 
house  of  entertainment.  They  ought  to  know  from  the 
direction  in  which  I  have  come,  that  I  must  be  both  hungry 
and  tired,  and  likely  to  put  up  for  the  night.  They  might 
offer  to  take  one's  horse,  I  should  think.'  But  no  one 
stirred. 

"  I  began  to  suspect  that,  after  all,  the  house  might  not 
be  a  tavern,  as  I  had  at  first  supposed  ;  and  I  again  looked 
up  at  the  sign.  Enough — the  word  '  Hotel '  was  there  in 
large  letters. 

"  '  Can  I  stop  here  for  the  night  ?'   I  inquired  at  length. 

"  I  waited  for  an  answer,  but  none  came.  I  repeated  the 
question  in  a  louder  and  more  imperious  tone. 

" '  You  kin  if  yer  like,  stren-ger,'  replied  the  oldest  of  the 
three,  but  without  moving  a  muscle  except  those  of  his 
mouth. 

"  '  Have  you  got  any  corn  ? '  I  inquired,  intending  to  make 
sure  of  something  for  my  horse  before  alighting,  as  the 
house,  on  a  nearer  inspection,  looked  naked  and  empty. 

"  *  Got  any  corn  ? '  echoed  the  same  speaker  as  before. 

"  «  Yes,'  said  I,  «  corn.' 

"  '  No,  we  hain't  got  any,'  was  the  reply. 

"  *  Well,  have  you  got  any  fodder,  then  ? ' 

"'Got  any  fodder?' 

" '  Yes— fodder/ 

"  *  No,  we  hain't  got  any.' 

"  '  This  is  bad,'  thought  I  ;  '  my  poor  horse — I  will  have 
to  turn  him  loose,  and  I  might  as  well  tie  him  up  for  that 
matter.'  I  continued  to  soliloquize,  as,  on  looking  around, 
I  could  not  see  a  blade  of  grass  within  the  circuit  of  a  mile  ! 
'  I  had  best  hitch  him  to  the  post,  take  a  hurried  snack 
myself,  and  then  ride  on  to  the  next  house ;  but  first  let  me 
see  what  they  can  give  me  to  eat/ 

"  All  the  time  I  was  occupied  with  these  reflections  the 
three  men  remained  silent  and  motionless,  except  when  one 


LIEUTENANT   SIBLEY'S   STORY.  45 

or  the  other  of  them  would  bring  his  hand  down  with  a 
smart  slap  over  his  cheek,  or  along  his  thigh,  or  behind  his 
ear,  as  though  one  and  all  of  them  were  afflicted  with  the 
malady  of  St.  Vitus. 

"  I  was  at  first  startled  by  these  demonstrations ;  but 
upon  further  observation  I  perceived  that  my  saturnine 
friends  were  only  killing  mosquitoes ! 

" '  Have  you  got  any  ham  and  eggs  ? "  I  asked  after  a 
pause. 

"'Got  any  ham  and  eggs? '  echoed  the  original  speaker* 
with  an  emphasis  that  clearly  betokened  surprise. 

" «  Yes — ham  and  eggs,'  repeated  I. 

"  '  No,  we  hain't  got  any.' 

"  *  A  pity ;  I  am  fond  of  ham  and  eggs.  Have  you  any 
chickens,  then  ? ' 

"  '  Chickens  ? ' 

"'Yes,'  said  I,  'chickens.' 

"  '  No,  we  hain't  got  any  chickens — nery  chicken.' 

"  '  Well,  have  you  got  any  meat  ? ' 

"  '  Got  any  meat  ?  ' 

'"Yes — any  sort  of  meat — beef,  pork,  mutton,  or  veal. 
I'm  not  particular — I'm  hungry.' 

" '  No,  we  hain't  got  any.' 

"'Have  you  any  bread,  then  ? ' 

"'Any  bread?' 

"  '  Yes — bread — a  piece  of  bread  and  a  glass  of  water. 
That  to  a  hungry  man  is  a  banquet. ' 

"  '  No,  we  hain't  got  no  bread.' 

" '  Well,  my  friend,  have  you  got  anything  to  eat  of  any 
kind  ? ' 

"  '  Anything  to  eat  of  any  kind  ? ' 

" '  Yes,  anything.     I'm  as  hungry  as  a  wolf.' 

"'No,  we  hain't  got  nothing  to  eat  of  any  kind — nery 
thing.' 

"  '  Can  you  give  my  horse  some  water,  and  I'll  ride  on  ?' 


40  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"'We  hain't  none  drawed,  stren-ger;  but  the  crick  aint 
more'n  a  kupple  o'  miles  ahead — yer  kin  git  water  thar.' 

"  *  Good  gracious  !  '  I  ejaculated,  involuntarily ;  « no 
meat,  no  bread,  no  corn,  no  water,  no  nothing  !  Look  here, 
old  fellow !  will  you  tell  me  how  in  thunder  you  do  here, 
anyhow  ? ' 

"  Not  at  all  put  out  by  the  question,  the  old  chap  looked 
up  sideways,  and  replied  : 

"  '  Very  well,  I  thank  ye,  stren-ger ;  how  deyer  deo  yourself! ' 

"  I  gave  a  violent  wrench  at  the  bridle,  which  brought  my 
horse  round  like  a  pivot;  and  digging  the  spurs  into  his 
sides,  I  headed  him  at  the  road.  But  the  poor  beast  did 
not  need  any  driving ;  for,  whether  he  had  been  satisfied  by 
his  own  inspection  of  the  place,  or  whether  he  had  under 
stood  the  conversation,  he  broke  into  a  sort  of  despairing 
gallop,  and  did  not  stop  until  we  had  reached  the  top  of  a 
long  hill.  Here  I  had  the  curiosity  to  turn  round  in  the 
saddle  and  look  back ;  and,  to  my  astonishment,  the  three 
men  were  still  seated  just  as  I  had  left  them ;  and  I  really 
believe  that  they  are  sitting  there  to  this  day  !  Captain 
Hennessy,  I'll  trouble  you  again." 

"  With  all  the  pleasure  of  life — here's  at  you,  liftinant !  " 

"  Fill  up,  gentlemen  !  Fill  up  ! "  shouted  the  sharp,  hard 
voice  of  the  major,  as  soon  as  the  laughter  had  subsided  ; 
"fill  up— there's  a  basket  left." 

"Ay,  and  when  that's  through,  Old  Blowhard  here  has 
another  stowed  away  in  the  lockers  of  his  steamer." 

"Ay,  a  dozen  of  'em  for  such  a  day  as  this,"  said  the 
transport  master,  who  was  known  among  the  offcers  at  Lobos 
as  "Old  Blowhard." 

"  Speaking  of  the  day,  allow  me,  gentlemen,  to  propose  a 
sentiment,  which  until  now,  we  have  by  some  accident 
overlooked." 

This  came  from  a  tall  gray-haired  officer  of  venerable 
aspect. 


LIEUTENANT   SIBLEY  S   STORY.  47 

"  Sentiment  from  Colonel  Harding  !  " 

"  Colonel  Harding's  sentiment !  " 

"  Fill  up  for  the  colonel's  toast ;  pass  that  champagne." 

"The  memory  of  the  immortal  man  whose  birthday  we  cele 
brate." 

This  toast  was  drunk  standing — all  heads  uncovered — 
and  in  perfect  silence.  The  riot  that  rang  but  a  moment 
ago  through  the  crowded  canvas  was  hushed,  out  of  respect 
for  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  dead.  The  silence  was 
only  momentary.  Like  waves  for  awhile  baffled,  and  back 
returning,  the  sounds  of  revelry  again  broke  forth.  Above 
the  din  of  conversation,  several  voices  were  heard  vociferat 
ing — 

"  A  story  from  Twing.     A  back-hit  from  Georgia  !  " 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  responded  the  major,  "  I'm  ready  as 
soon  as  you  have  all  filled  ;  I  don't  like  to  be  interrupted." 

"  Fill  up,  gentlemen  !  "  continued  he.  "  Adge,  out  with 
some  corks  !  Cudjo,  where's  the  screw  ?  Hang  that  screw  ! 
I  believe  it's  sunk  into  the  sand  ;  look  out  for  your  purses, 
gentlemen  ;  if  you  drop  them  here,  they're  gone.  I've  lost 
several  valuable  articles  in  this  cussed  sandhole." 

"  Mine  is  as  low  as  it  can  possibly  get,"  cried  a  voice. 

"  Never  mind  that  screw,  mage,"  said  Hillis,  the  adju 
tant,  who  by  this  time  had  broken — Kentucky  fashion — the 
necks  of  several  bottles,  and  was  pouring  out  their  foaming 
contents. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  cried  the  major,  after  swallowing  a 
glass  of  champagne,  "  I'm  at  your  service." 

Silence  was  at  once  re-established,  and  the  whole  company 
sat  eying  their  host  with  interested  looks.  The  major  was 
well  known  to  be  a  sharp  hand — a  regular  "  Georgia  Yankee  " 
— and  every  one  expected  to  hear  the  South  Carolinian  re 
ceive  a  Roland  for  his  Oliver.  The  Georgian  began. 


Brain  Corals  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MAJOR   TWING'S  STORY  OF   THE  GUYAS-CUTIS. 


INE,  gentlemen,  is  also 
a     traveling      story  :  " 
here  the  major  looked 
significantly       towards 
Sibley. 

"  Many  long  years  ago,  when  I 
was  a  wild  young  man,  I  was 
journeying  to  the  city  of  Washington  in  company  with  a 
friend — a  Georgian  boy  like  myself.  We  went,  as  thousands 
have  gone  before  and  since,  to  try  our  luck  at  office  hunting. 
You  are  all  well  aware,  gentlemen,  that  the  road  from  Georgia 
to  Washington  passes  through  the  Palmetto  State ;  a  state 
distinguished  for  the  fertility  of  its  soil,  as  well  as  for  the 
wealth,  chivalry,  and  intelligence  of  its  sons."  Here  the 
major  winked  knowingly  at  the  company  with  one  eye,  while 
he  kept  the  other  fixed  upon  the  South  Carolinian. 

"  I  thought  myself  a  smart  traveler,  gentlemen ;  but,  com 
pared  with  my  companion,  I  wa§   as  green  as  a  blade  of 
43 


MAJOR  TWING'S  STORY   OF  THE   GUYAS-CUTIS.   49 

spring  grass.  He  was  naturally  sharp,  but  experience  had 
polished  his  wits  to  the  keenness  of  a  cambric  needle.  His 
name  was  Cobb — Wiley  Cobb. 

"  We  started  from  home  on  a  capital  of  three  hundred 
dollars.  It  was  all  we  could  rake  together.  But  we  had  a 
couple  of  stout  Georgia  ponies  ;  and  this,  we  concluded, 
would  be  enough  to  put  us  through  to  Washington  and 
back. 

"  '  If  we're  stumped,'  said  Cobb,  '  we  can  sell  the  cattle.' 

"  Unfortunately,  before  entering  the  Palmetto  State,  it  was 
our  luck  to  pass  through  the  town  of  Augusta,  on  the 
Georgia  side,  where  we  halted  to  feed.  Augusta  had  always 
been  considered  *  a  brisk  little  place/  We  found  it  so. 
Not  being  in  a  great  hurry,  we  remained  over  night  and  the 
next  day.  We  had  fallen  in  with  some  very  agreeable  ac 
quaintances.  We  got  to  playing  first  at  ninepenny/0/^r; 
then  quarter-dollar  loo  ;  then  brag  ;  and  finally,  our  Augusta 
friends  introduced  us  to  the  interesting  game  of  faro. 
We  played  all  night ;  and  by  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the 
second  day  had  deposited  our  three  hundred  dollars  in  the 
'  bank,'  where  they  remained. 

"  *  What's  to  be  done  ? '  said  I. 

"  *  I'm  thinking,"  answered  Cobb. 

"'  Sell  the  ponies  and  start  back  ? '  suggested  I. 

"  *  No  such  thing!  '  sharply  responded  Cobb. 

"  *  What  better  can  we  do  ? '  I  asked.  *  We  have  no 
money — we  can't  go  on  to  Washington — what  can  we  do  but 
slope  home  again  ?  " 

"'What  have  you  got  in  your  saddle-bags?'  inquired 
my  friend,  without  heeding  my  last  interrogatory. 

" '  A  shirt,  a  pair  of  pistols,  a  plug  of  tobacco,  and  a 
bowie,'  was  my  reply. 

"  *  We  must  sell  the  bowie  first/  said  Cobb  ;  it  "  will  pay 
our  tavern  bill,  and  get  us  out  of  this  infernal  hole.' 

"  *  And  what  next  ?    On  to  Washington  ? '  I  inquired. 


SO  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  *  Of  course,'  said  Cobb ;  '  we  would  look  wise  turning 
back  :  we  would  be  the  standing  joke  of  the  county.'  added 
he. 

"  '  But  how  can  we  travel  without  funds  ? '  I  asked. 

" '  That  we  shall  have  to  find  out,'  said  Cobb,  with  a  look 
as  cheerful  and  happy  as  if  he  had  had  relays  and  horses  all 
along  to  Washington,  and  his  bill  paid  at  every  tavern  upon 
the  road. 

"  '  I  have  an  acquaintance,'  continued  he,  '  at  the  end 
of  the  first  stage  from  here ;  we  can  stop  all  night  with  him 
— that  won't  cost  anything  ;  beyond  that,  we  must  trust  to 
the  hospitality  of  the  planters.  I  think  we  can  get  through 
South  Carolina  handsomely  ;  good,  generous  fellows  the 
South  Carolinians.' "  Here  the  major  again  looked  signifi 
cantly  across  the  table.  "  *  The  danger  is,  we  may  stick  in 
Turpentine  State.  We  must  travel  through  it  on  the  pro 
ceeds  of  your  pistols.  But  come,  let  us  first  dispose  of  the 
bowie,  and  get  out  of  this  sharpers'  nest.' 

"  As  Cobb  was  my  senior,  and,  in  my  estimation,  a  great 
genius,  I  of  course  acquiesced.  He  sold  the  bowie-knife  to 
one  of  our  gambling  friends  for  six  dollars ;  the  tavern  bill 
was  liquidated,  leaving  a  few  shillings  in  our  joint  purse ; 
and  with  this  we  took  the  road  through  South  Carolina. 

"At  the  end  of  the  first  day  we  stopped  with  Cobb's 
friend,  and  were  hospitably  entertained.  Cobb  felt  a  strong 
inclination  to  borrow  from  him,  but  could  not  bring  himself 
to  confess  the  cause  of  our  being  without  funds. 

"  We  left  his  friend's  house  therefore,  after  an  excellent 
breakfast,  our  horses  well  fed  and  curried,  but  without  any 
increase  of  our  finances.  On  the  contrary,  we  had  given  a 
quarter-dollar  to  the  '  darkie'  who  had  saddled  our  ponies. 

"  We  were  now  fairly  en  route — traveling  through,  to  both 
of  us,  a  terra  incognita. 

"  That  night  we  stopped  at  a  planter's  house.  I  do  not 
know  what  Cobb  told  the  planter  as  we  were  preparing  to 


MAJOR   TWING'S    STORY   OF   THE   GUYAS-CUTIS.    5 1 

leave  in  the  morning  ;  but  I  heard  the  latter  remark  some 
what  sneeringly  as  we  got  into  our  saddles,  '  It  ain't  usual 
for  folks  to  travel  through  these  parts  without  money,'  and 
then  there  was  a  half-stifled,  angry-like  ejaculation,  followed 
by  a  hissing  through  his  teeth  of  words  which  would  have 
sounded  badly  in  polite  ears. 

"  *  Rather  an  inhospitable  sort  of  a  chap,'  whispered  I 
as  we  rode  off. 

"  '  Deuced  inhospitable  ! '  said  Cobb  ;  '  especially  for  a 
South  Carolinian.  But  he's  an  exception,  I  guess.' 

"  And  he  was  an  exception ;  for  the  next  place  we 
stopped  at,  they  turned  to  and  blackguarded  us  outright,  call 
ing  us  '  impostors.'  and  '  Georgia  Yankees  ' ;  and  the  next 
after  that,  the  landlord  of  the  house,  which  was  a  country 
tavern,  threatened  to  levy  upon  our  saddle-bags.  This  he 
certainly  would  have  done,  had  not  Cobb  told  him  very  sig 
nificantly  that  'they  contained  only  a  pair  of  pistols  that 
were  loaded,  and  might  go  off.'  Saying  this,  Cobb  took 
out  the  pistols,  and  handed  one  of  them  to  me  ;  then  cock 
ing  his  own,  he  told  the  landlord  he  '  might  have  the  saddle 
bags  now,  as  they  were  empty.' 

"  But  Cobb  was  a  boy  of  six  feet  two  in  his  stockings, 
with  a  pair  of  fierce  whiskers,  and  an  eye  as  black  as  a  coal ; 
and  the  landlord  concluded  to  let  the  bags  hang  where  they 
were  ;  so  we  leaped  into  our  saddles  and  rode  off. 

"  '  This  will  never  do,  Harry,'  said  Cobb  as  we  jogged 
leisurely  along. 

"  '  Never,'  said  I. 

"  We  must  hit  upon  some  plan  to  raise  the  wind,*  contin 
ued  he. 

'*  *  I  wish  we  could,'  said  I. 

"  '  Think  of  something,'  said  he. 

"*  I'll  try,"  said  I  ;  and  I  commenced  turning  over  in  my 
mind  every  plan  I  could  think  of  that  would  be  likely  to 
relieve  us  from  our  difficulty. 


52  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  But  *  raising  the  wind '  by  the  mere  process  of  thought 
is  an  achievement  which  has  puzzled  sharper  intellects  than 
mine  ;  and  I  was  about  abandoning  the  twentieth  project  that 
had  offered  itself  to  my  mind,  when  Cobb,  who  was  riding 
some  distance  in  advance,  suddenly  checked  his  horse,  and, 
wheeling  round  in  the  saddle,  with  a  triumphant  gesture, 
shouted  out : 

"  '  Harry,  I  have  it ! ' 

"  '  Good  ! '  cried  I. 

"  '  I've  treed  the  varmint ! '  continued  he. 

"  '  You  have  ? '  said  I. 

"  '  Like  a  knife  ! '  said  he. 

"  « I  am  glad  of  it,'  said  I ;  'but  how  ?  ' 

"'  Never  mind  ;  I'll  tell  you  at  night.  I  haven't  got  the 
thing  straightened  out  yet  How  far  do  you  suppose  we  are 
from  Columbia  ? '  inquired  he. 

"  '  About  twenty  miles,  I  should  think.  We  have  come 
five,  and  they  said  it  was  twenty-five  from  the  tavern.' 

"'Well,  then,  ride  slowly,'  said  Cobb.  'We  must  not 
get  there  before  dark.  What  sized  place  is  it  ? ' 

"  '  I  haven't  an  idea,'  replied  I.  *  It  ought  to  be  a  good 
chunk  of  a  place,  though — it's  the  state  capital. 

" '  So  it  is— you're  right— it'll  do,'  said  he  ;  and  we 
rode  on  in  silence,  Cobb  buried  in  profound  meditation, 
maturing  his  plans,  and  I  dying  with  curiosity  to  know 
them. 

"  About  half  an  hour  after  dark  we  entered  the  town,  and 
rode  up  the  streets  ;  Cobb  looked  inquiringly  into  the  differ 
ent  stores  as  we  passed. 

"  '  Here's  the  very  thing!  '  ejaculated  he,  pulling  up  in 
front  of  a  shoe-shop  and  getting  off  his  horse. 

11  He  entered  the  shop.  I  could  see  by  his  gesticulations 
to  the  owner  of  the  establishment  that  he  was  in  treaty  for  a 
large  empty  shoe-box  which  stood  in  the  middle  of  the 
store.  All  that  I  could  hear  was  the  following  ; 


MAJOR   TWING'S   STORY   OF  THE   GUYAS-CUTIS.    53 

"  *  After  you  have  made  the  hole,  you  may  nail  down  the 
lid,  and  paint  the  letters  upon  it.  Here  they  are.' 

"  Saying  this,  he  took  up  a  scrap  of  paper,  and,  after  writ 
ing  some  words  upon  it,  handed  it  to  the  storekeeper. 

" '  I'll  send  a  dray  for  it  in  half  an  hour,'  continued  he, 
as  he  paid  for  the  box  ;  and,  bidding  the  man  good  night, 
came  out  and  got  into  his  saddle  again.  We  then  continued 
our  way  to  the  principal  hotel  of  the  place,  where  we  drew 
up  and  dismounted. 

'*  '•  I'll  be  back  in  an  hour,  Harry,'  said  Cobb,  throwing 
me  his  bridle ;  *  in  the  mean  time  take  your  supper,  engage 
a  snug  room,  and  wait  for  me.  Don  't  register  till  I  come — 
I'll  attend  to  that.'  So  saying,  he  disappeared  down  the 
street. 

"  Agreeably  to  his  instructions,  I  did  not  register  our  names  ; 
but,  as  the  supper-gong  rang  before  Cobb's  return,  I  walked 
into  the  room  and  ate  supper — heartily,  too,  for  I  had  not 
tasted  victuals  since  morning.  I  was  then  shown  to  my 
room,  where  I  waited  patiently  for  the  appearance  of  my 
friend.  I  was  still  conjecturing  how  the  supper  was  to  be 
paid  for,  when  the  door  opened  and  Cobb  entered.  He  was 
not  alone.  A  couple  of  *  darkies  '  followed  at  his  heels, 
carrying  the  box  that  I  had  seen  him  purchase,  upon  the  lid 
of  which  was  now  painted  in  large,  bold  letters  : 

"  c  THE  WONDERFUL  GUYAS-CUTIS  !  ' 

Underneath  was  an  oblong  hole,  or  slit,  newly  chiseled  in 
the  wood. 

"  Cobb  held  in  his  hand  a  broad  sheet  of  paper.  This,  as 
soon  as  the  darkies  had  gone  out  of  the  room,  he  spread  up 
on  the  table,  and,  pointing  to  it,  triumphantly  exclaimed— 

"  '  There,  now,  Harry  :  that's  it ! ' 

"  *  //  ?  what  it  ?  '  asked  I. 

"  *  Read  for  yourself,  old  fellow  ! '  cried  he. 

14 1  commenced  reading  : 


54  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  '  THE  WONDERFUL   GUYAS-CUTIS  ! 

" '  Caught  in  the  Wilds  of  Oregon  \  near  the  center  boundary 
of  ^  40'  !!' 

"  This  was  in  large  capitals.  Then  followed  the  descrip 
tion  in  smaller  letters  : 

" '  This  remarkable  animal,  hitherto  unknown  to  the  naturalists, 
possesses  all  the  intelligence  of  the  human,  combined  with  the  ferocity 
of  the  tiger,  and  the  agility  of  the  ourang-outang  !  He  is  of  a  bright 
sky-blue  color,  with  eleven  stripes  upon  his  body,  and  one  more  round 
his  nose,  which  makes  the  even  dozen;  and  ne'er  a  one  of  them  alike  !  I 

"  '  In  his  rage,  he  has  been  known  to  carry  Indians  up  to  the  tops  of  the 
highest  trees,  and  there  leave  them  to  perish  with  hunger,  thirst,  and 
cold ;  which  accounts  satisfactorily  for  the  uncivilized  nature  of  the  red 
man!  ! 

" '  The  highly-intelligent  citizens  of  Columbia  are  respectfully  informed 
that  this  wonderful  quadruped  has  arrived  among  them,  and  will  be  ex 
hibited  this  evening,  Tuesday,  at  the  Minerva  Rooms,  at  the  hour  of 
eight  o'clock.  Admittance,  25  cents  ! ' 

" '  But,  my  dear  Wiley,'  said  I,  now,  for  the  first  time, 
catching  the  idea  of  Cobb's  project,  '  you  don't  intend , 

"  '  But  I  do,  though/  interrupted  he  ;  '  and  I  will — that's 
as  certain  as  my  name's  Wiley  Cobb,  of  the  State  of  Georgy.' 

"  '  But  you  do  not  really  think  you  can  gull  the  intellig 
ent  people — ? ' 

"  *  Bah  !  intelligent  people  !  It's  plain,  Harry,  you  don't 
know  the  world,'  said  Cobb  contemptuously. 

"  *  And  what  part  do  you  expect  me  to  take  in  the  play  ? ' 
I  asked. 

" '  Nothing  but  to  keep  in  this  room  to-morrow,  and  see 
that  nobody  peeps  into  that  box." 

"  '  But  at  night  ?  ' 

" '  At  night  you  will  stand  at  the  door  of  the  Minerva 
Rooms,  take  the  money,  and,  when  you  hear  me  groan  and 
shake  the  chain,  run  in  behind  the  screen — that's  all.' 


MAJOR   TWING'S   STORY   OF   THE   GUYAS-CUTIS.    55 

"  Beginning  to  look  upon  the  thing  as  a  good  joke,  I 
promised  faithfully  to  follow  Cobb's  instructions  ;  not  with 
out  some  disagreeable  anticipations  that  both  he  and  I 
would  spend  the  following  night  in  the  Columbia  jail. 

"Next  morning  Cobb  was  up  at  an  early  hour  :  and,  after 
moaning  piteously,  and  groaning  in  the  most  hideous  and 
frightful  manner,  and  talking  at  intervals  into  the  box,  as — 
1  Be  still,  Guy  ! '  '  Down,  Guy  !  down  ! ' — he  left  the  room, 
bidding  me  keep  a  sharp  look-out. 

"  As  soon  as  he  had  gone  I  heard  a  considerable  shuffling 
and  whispering  outside  the  door  ;  and  presently  a  darkie 
looked  in,  and  asked  me  if  I  wanted  anything. 

"  *  Not  anything,'  said  I  ;  '  don't  come  in  ! ' 

"  The  darkie  drew  back  his  head  with  a  look  of  terror,  and 
pulled  the  door  to  behind  him. 

"  Shortly  after,  the  whispering  recommenced  and  the 
door  again  opened.  This  time  it  was  the  landlord  of  the 
hotel,  whose  curiosity  had  brought  him  up  to  'see  the 
elephant.' 

" '  It's  a  tarnation'd  fierce  critter  that,"  said  he,  putting 
his  head  inside  the  door,  but  still  holding  on  to  the  handle. 

"  '  Dreadful ! '  said  I. 

"  '  Could  I  not  have  a  peep  ?'     inquired  he. 

" '  It's  against  the  rules,'  answered  I ;  '  besides,  a  stranger 
makes  him  savage.' 

" '  Oh,  it  does  !  does  it  ? '  said  he  apologizingly. 

"  '  Terrible  ! '  said  I. 

"  *  You'll  have  a  good  house,  I  think,'  said  he,  after  a  short 
pause. 

"  *  I  hope  so,'  said  I. 

"  '  The  bills  is  out.  Mr.  Van  Amburgh  was  about  putty 
early  this  morninV 

"  *  Mr.  Van  Amburgh  ?  '  interrogated  I. 

"  l  Yes  ;  Mr.  Van  Amburgh — your  partner.' 

" *  Oh  yes  !  Mr.  Van  Amburgh,  my  partner,"  I  chimed  in, 


56  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

as  I  saw  that  this  must  be  an  alias  of  my  friend  Cobb. 
'But  Mr.  Van  Amburgh  did  not  put  out  the  bills  himself?* 

"I  said  this  to  lead  the  landlord's  thoughts  upon  a  new 
trail,  and  cover  the  mistake  I  had  made. 

"  '  Oh — no  ;  of  course  not/  replied  he  ;  '  he  hired  a  boy.' 

"  '  Certainly — that  was  right,'  I  added. 

"  '  Breakfast  '11  be  ready  in  a  minute  ;  ye'll  come  down  ? ' 

"  '  Oh,  of  course.' 

**  At  this,  Boniface  took  himself  off,  to  my  great  satisfac 
tion. 

"  Cobb  now  returned,  bringing  with  him  about  six  feet  of  a 
log-chain,  done  up  in  paper. 

"  After  repeating  his  groaning  and  growling  we  descended 
to  breakfast — Cobb  having  first  carefully  locked  the  door 
and  put  the  key  in  his  pocket. 

"  We  were  evidently  objects  of  great  interest  at  the  break 
fast-table — Cobb  calling  me  *  Mr.  Wolfe,'  and  I  addressing 
him  as  *  Mr.  Van  Amburgh.'  The  servants  waited  upon  us 
with  delighted  attention. 

"  After  breakfast  we  returned  to  the  room,  when  Cobb 
again  went  through  his  groaning  rehearsal,  and  shortly  after 
left  me. 

"The  groaning  he  repeated  at  intervals  during  the  day ; 
upon  each  succeeding  occasion  louder  and  more  terrific  than 
before. 

"  Night  came  at  length ;  and  with  our  box,  covered  up  in 
one  of  the  landlord's  bed-quilts,  we  started  for  the  Minerva 
Rooms,  which  I  found  already  fitted  up  with  a  running 
screen,  and  brilliantly  lighted  with  candles.  Cobb  had  the 
box  and  chain  carried  behind  the  screen,  while  I  remained 
at  the  door  to  look  after  the  treasury.  We  had  no  tickets, 
each  one  paying  his  or  her  *  quarter,'  and  passing  in. 

"  In  a  short  time  the  room  was  full  of  ladies,  gentlemen, 
and  children  ;  tradesmen  and  their  wives ;  merchants  and 
their  families  ;  young  bucks  and  their  sweethearts,  and  even 


MAJOR  TWING'S   STORY   OF  THE   GUYAS-CUTIS.    57 

a  number  of  the  intelligent  members  of  the  state  assembly  1 
Expectation  was  on  tiptoe  to  see  the  '  Wonderful  Guyas- 
cutis. ' 

"  At  length  a  low  moaning  was  heard  behind  the  screen. 

"  *  Down,  Guy  !  down  !  Still,  dog,  still ! '  cried  a  voice  in 
hoarse,  commanding  accents. 

"The  people  had  now  all  arrived,  and  began  to  stamp 
and  clap  their  hands,  and  exhibit  the  usual  symptoms  of 
impatience,  crying  out  at  intervals,  'The  Guyas-cutis !  the 
Guyas-cutis  ! ' 

"  '  Bring  him  out,  Mr.  Showman  !  trot  him  out ! ' 

" '  Let  us  see  the  savage  varmint ! ' 

"  The  Guyas-cutis  growled  fearfully. 

"  *  Give  him  a  bone  ! '  cried  one. 

"  '  Go  it,  old  fifty-four  forty  ! '  exclaimed  another. 

"'The  whole  or  none  ! '  shouted  a  third. 

"  '  Fifty-four  forty,  or  fight ! '  cried  a  fourth. 

"  *  Go  it,  old  K.  Polk  ! '  from  a  distant  part  of  the  room. 

"  At  this  the  audience  became  convulsed  with  laughter. 
The  groaning  grew  louder  and  more  terrible,  and  Cobb's 
voice  was  heard  in  hoarse  accents  apostrophizing  the  Guyas- 
cutis.  Then  was  heard  a  struggle  behind  the  screen,  fol 
lowed  by  the  rattling  of  a  chain. 

"  This  was  my  cue.  Putting  on  a  look  of  terror — as  I  had 
been  instructed  by  Cobb — I  rushed  up  the  open  space  be 
tween  the  spectators,  and  pushed  in  behind  the  curtain.  I 
stole  a  glance  backward  as  I  entered,  and  saw  that  the 
audience  had  already  caught  the  alarm.  Some  of  the  people 
had  risen  to  their  feet,  and  stood  pale  and  trembling  !  Be 
hind  the  screen,  Cobb  was  running  to  and  fro,  scraping  the 
sanded  floor,  rattling  the  chain,  and  chiding  an  imaginary 
object  in  the  most  threatening  accents.  He  was  in  his  shirt 
sleeves,  and  streams  of  what  appeared  to  be  blood  were 
running  over  his  face,  neck,  and  bosom  ! 

" '  Down,  savage,  down  ! '  cried  Cobb. 


58  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"*  Boo-boo  !  bow-wow  !  growled  the  Guyas-cutis. 

"  '  Oh,  Mr.  Wolfe  ! '  cried  Cobb  ;  '  come  here,  help,  help, 
or  he'll  be  off!' 

"  '  Hold  on  to  him  ! '  shouted  I,  in  a  loud  voice,  *  hold  on  ! ' 

"  '  Bow-oow  !  wow-awow  !  "  roared  the  Guyas-cutis. 

"'  Help  !  help  !'  cried  Cobb. 

"  «  Hold  on  ! '  shouted  I. 

"  At  this  moment  Cobb  seized  the  chain  in  both  hands, 
and,  after  giving  it  a  fierce  rattle,  rushed  in  front  of  the 
screen,  shouting  in  a  voice  of  thunder  : 

"  *  Save  your  selves,  gentlemen  !  Save  your  wives  and  chil 
dren  !  The  Guyas-cutis  is  loose  I 

"Gentlemen,"  said  the  major,  drawing  a  long  breath, 
"  it's  more  than  I  can  do  to  describe  the  scene  that  followed. 
In  less  than  two  minutes  the  room  was  empty ;  and  when 
Cobb  and  myself  reached  the  street,  there  was  not  a  soul — 
man,  woman,  or  child — to  be  seen  !  We  hurried  to  the 
hotel,  and  ordered  our  horses  to  be  saddled  with  all  de 
spatch — Cobb  telling  the  landlord  that  the  Guyas-cutis  had 
taken  to  the  fields,  and  we  must  pursue  him  on  horseback. 
While  our  horses  were  being  saddled,  we  settled  the  land, 
lord's  bill  out  of  our  newly  acquired  funds.  Starting  at  a 
brisk  gallop,  we  did  not  draw  bridle  until  we  had  put  twenty 
miles  between  us  and  the  good  city  of  Columbia.  Then  we 
halted,  and  counted  our  receipts,  which  amounted  to — how 
much,  Mr.  Cobb. 

"  Sixty-six  dollars  seventy-five  cents,  to  a  figger,"  said  a 
tall,  swarthy  personage,  who  sat  some  way  down  the  table, 
and  whose  dark,  saturnine  countenance  would  never  have 
betrayed  him  as  the  hero  of  the  story  ;  but  it  was  he  indeed ; 
and  peals  of  laughter  followed  the  discovery. 

******* 

"  To  the  major,  the  major  and  his  story  !  "  shouted  several 
voices. 

At  that  moment  the  report  of  a  musket  was  heard  without 


MAJOR   TWING'S   STORY  OF  THE   GUYAS-CUTIS.    59 

the  tent,  and  simultaneously  a  bullet  whistled  through  the 
canvas.  It  knocked  the  foraging-cap  from  the  head  of 
Captain  Hennessy,  and,  striking  a  decanter,  shivered  the 
glass  into  a  thousand  pieces ! 

"  A  divilish  nate  shot  that,  I  don't  care  who  fired  it,"  said 
Hennessy,  coolly  picking  up  his  cap.  "  An  inch  of  a  miss 
— good  as  a  mile,"  added  he,  thrusting  his  thumb  into  the 
bullet-hole. 

By  this  time  every  officer  present  was  upon  his  feet,  most 
of  them  rushing  towards  the  front  of  the  marquee.  A  dozen 
voices  called  out  together  : 

"Who  fired  that  gun?" 

There  was  no  answer,  and  several  plunged  into  the  thicket 
in  pursuit.  The  chapparal  was  dark  and  silent,  and  these 
returned  after  a  fruitless  search. 

"  Some  soldier,  whose  musket  has  gone  off  by  accident," 
suggested  Colonel  Harding.  "The  fellow  has  run  away,  to 
avoid  being  put  under  arrest." 

"  Come,  gentlemen,  take  your  sates  again,"  said  Hen 
nessy  ;  "  let  the  poor  divil  slide — yez  may  be  thankful  it 
wasn't  a  shell. " 

"  You,  captain,  have  most  cause  to  be  grateful  for  the 
character  of  the  missile." 

"  By  my  sowl,  I  don't  know  about  that ! — a  shell  or  a 
twenty-four  would  have  grazed  me  all  the  same  ;  but  a  big 
shot  would  have  been  mighty  inconvanient  to  the  head  of 
my  friend  Haller,  here  !  " 

This  was  true.  My  head  was  nearly  in  range  ;  and,  had 
the  shot  been  a  large  one,  it  would  have  struck  me  upon 
the  left  temple.  As  it  was,  I  felt  the  "  wind  "  of  the  bullet 
and  already  began  to  suffer  a  painful  sensation  over  the  eye. 

"I'm  mighty  curious  to  know  which  of  us  the  fellow  has 
missed,  captain,"  said  Hennessy,  turning  to  me  as  he  spoke. 

"  If  it  were  not  a  *  bull '  I  should  say  I  hope  neither  of 


60  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

us.  I'm  inclined  to  think  with  Colonel  Harding  that  it  was 
altogether  an  accident." 

"  By  the  powers  !  an  ugly  accident,  too,  that  has  spoiled 
five  dollars'  worth  of  an  illigant  cap,  and  a  pint  of  as  good 
brandy  as  ever  was  mixed  with  hot  water  and  lemon-juice." 
"  Plenty  left,  captain,"  cried  the  major.  "  Come,  gentlemen, 
don't  let  this  damp  us  ;  fill  up  !  fill  up  !  Adge,  out  with  the 
corks  !  Cudjo,  where's  the  screw  ? — confound  that  screw  !  " 

''Never  mind  the  screw,  mage,"  cried  the  adjutant,  re 
peating  his  old  trick  upon  the  neck  of  a  fresh  bottle,  which, 
nipped  off  under  the  wire,  fell  upon  a  heap  of  others  that 
had  preceded  it. 

And  the  wine  again  foamed  and  sparkled,  and  glasses 
circled  round,  and  the  noisy  revelry  waxed  as  loud  as  ever. 
The  incident  of  the  shot  was  soon  forgotten.  Songs  were 
sung,  and  stories  told,  and  toasts  drunk ;  and  with  song  and 
sentiment,  and  toast  and  story,  and  the  wild  excitement  of 
wit  and  wine,  the  night  waned  away.  With  many  of  those 
young  hearts,  bold  with  hope  and  burning  with  ambition,  it 
was  the  last  "  Twenty-second  "  they  would  ever  celebrate. 
Half  of  them  never  hailed  another. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

A  SKELETON  ADVENTURE. 

T  was  past  midnight  when  I  withdrew 
from  the  scene  of  wassail.  Clayley 
was  one  of  those  tireless  spirits  who 
could  "  drink  all  night  till  broad  day 
light  ;  "  and,  as  he  preferred  remain 
ing  for  some  time  longer,  I  walked  out  alone.  My  blood 
was  flushed  and  I  strolled  down  upon  the  beach,  to  en 
joy  the  cool  fresh  breeze  that  was  blowing  in  from  the 
Mexican  Sea. 

The  scene  before  me  was  one  of  picturesque  grandeur, 
and  I  paused  a  moment  to  gaze  upon  it.  The  wine  even 
heightened  its  loveliness  to  an  illusion. 

The  full  round  moon  of  the  tropics  was  sweeping  over  a 
sky  of  cloudless  blue.  The  stars  were  eclipsed  and  scarcely 

6x 


62  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

visible,  except  a  few  of  the  larger  ones,  as  the  belt  of  Orion, 
the  planet  Venus,  and  the  luminous  radii  of  the  Southern 
Cross. 

From  my  feet  a  broad  band  of  silver  stretched  away  to 
the  horizon,  marking  the  meridian  of  the  moon.  This  was 
broken  by  the  line  of  coral  reef,  over  which  the  surf  curled 
and  sparkled  with  a  phosphoric  brightness.  The  reef  itself, 
running  all  round,  seemed  to  gird  the  islet  in  a  circle  of  fire. 
Here  only  were  the  waves  in  motion,  as  if  pressed  by  some 
subaqueous  and  invisible  power ;  for  beyond,  scarcely  a 
breath  stirred  the  sleeping  sea.  It  lay  smooth  and  silent, 
while  a  satellite  sky  seemed  carved  out  in  its  azure 
depths. 

On  the  south,  a  hundred  ships  were  in  the  deep  roadstead, 
a  cable's  length  from  each  other — their  hulls,  spars,  and 
rigging  magnified  to  gigantic  proportions  under  the  deceptive 
and  tremulous  moonbeam.  They  were  motionless  as  if  the 
sea  had  been  frozen  around  them  into  a  solid  crystal. 
Their  flags  drooped  listlessly  down,  trailing  along  the  masts, 
or  warped  and  twined  around  the  halyards. 

Up  against  the  easy  ascent  extended  the  long  rows  of 
white  tents,  shining  under  the  silvery  moonbeam  like  pyra 
mids  of  snow.  In  one  a  light  was  still  gleaming  through 
the  canvas,  where,  perchance,  some  soldier  sat  up,  wearily 
wiping  his  gun,  or  burnishing  the  brasses  upon  his  belts. 

Now  and  then  dark  forms — human  and  uniformed — passed 
to  and  fro  from  tent  to  tent,  each  returning  from  a  visit  to 
some  regimental  comrade.  At  equal  distances  round  the 
camp,  others  stood  upright  and  motionless — the  gleam  of 
the  musket  showing  the  sentry  on  his  silent  post. 

The  plunge  of  an  oar,  as  some  boat  was  rowed  out  among 
the  anchored  ships — the  ripple  of  the  light  breaker — at  in 
tervals  the  hail  of  a  sentinel,  "  Who  goes  there  ?  " — the  low 
parley  that  followed— the  chirp  of  the  cicada  in  the  dark 
jungle — or  the  scream  of  the  sea-bird,  scared  by  some  sub- 


A  SKELETON   ADVENTURE.  63 

marine  enemy  from  its  watery  rest— were  the  only  sounds 
that  disturbed  the  deep  stillness  of  the  night. 

I  continued  my  walk  along  the  beach  until  I  had  reached 
that  point  of  the  island  directly  opposite  to  the  mainland  of 
Mexico.  Here  the  chapparal  grew  thick  and  tangled,  run 
ning  down  to  the  water's  edge,  where  it  ended  in  a  clump  of 
mangroves.  As  no  troops  were  encamped  here,  the  islet 
had  not  been  cleared  at  this  point,  and  the  jungle  was  dark 
and  solitary. 

The  moon  was  now  going  down,  and  straggling  shadows 
began  to  fall  upon  the  water. 

Certainly  some  one  skulked  into  the  bushes  ! — a  rustling 
in  the  leaves — yes !  some  fellow  who  has  strayed  beyond 
the  line  of  sentries,  and  is  afraid  to  return  to  camp.  Ha ! 
a  boat !  a  skiff  it  is — a  net  and  buoys  !  As  I  live,  'tis  a 
Mexican  craft ! — who  can  have  brought  it  here  ?  Some 
fisherman  from  the  coast  of  Tuspan.  No,  he  would  not 
venture ;  it  must  be 

A  strange  suspicion  flashed  across  my  mind,  and  I  rushed 
through  the  mangrove  thicket,  where  I  had  observed  the 
object  a  moment  before.  I  had  not  proceeded  fifty  yards 
when  I  saw  the  folly  of  this  movement.  I  found  myself  in  the 
midst  of  a  labyrinth,  dark  and  dismal,  surrounded  by  a  wall 
of  leaves  and  brambles.  The  branches  of  the  mangroves, 
rooted  at  their  tops,  barred  up  the  path,  and  vines  laced 
them  together. 

'  If  they  be  spies,"  thought  I,  "  I  have  taken  the  worst 
plan  to  catch  them.  I  may  as  well  go  through  now.  I 
cannot  be  distant  from  the  rear  of  the  camp.  Ugh !  how 
dismal ! " 

I  pushed  on,  climbing  over  fallen  trunks,  and  twining  my 
self  through  the  viny  cordage.  The  creepers  clung  to  my 
neck — thorns  penetrated  my  skin — the  mezquite  slapped  me 
in  the  face,  drawing  blood.  I  laid  my  hand  upon  a  pendent 
limb ;  a  clammy  object  struggled  under  my  touch,  with  a 


04  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

terrified  yet  spiteful  violence,  and,  freeing  itself,  sprang  ovei 
my  shoulder,  and  scampered  off  among  the  fallen  leaves.  I 
felt  its  fetid  breath,  as  the  cold  scales  brushed  against  my 
cheek.  It  was  the  hideous  iguana. 

A  huge  bat  flapped  its  sail-like  wings  in  my  face,  and 
returned  again  and  again,  breathing  a  mephitic  odor  that 
caused  me  to  gasp.  Twice  I  struck  at  it  with  my  sword, 
cutting  only  the  empty  air.  A  third  time  my  blade  was 
caught  in  the  trellis  of  parasites.  It  was  horrible  ;  I  felt 
terrified  to  contend  with  such  strange  enemies. 

At  length,  after  a  continued  struggle,  an  opening  appeared 
before  me — a  glade  ;  I  rushed  to  the  welcome  spot. 

"  What  a  relief  !  "  I  ejaculated,  emerging  from  the  leafy 
darkness.  Suddenly,  I  started  back  with  a  cry  of  horror  ; 
my  limbs  refused  to  act ;  the  sword  fell  from  my  grasp,  and 
I  stood  palsied  and  transfixed,  as  if  by  a  bolt  from  heaven. 

Before  me,  and  not  over  three  paces  distant,  the  image  of 
Death  himself  rose  out  of  the  earth,  and  stretched  forth  his 
skeleton  arms  to  clutch  me.  It  was  no  phantom.  There 
was  the  white,  naked  skull,  with  its  eyeless  sockets,  the 
long  fleshless  limbs,  the  open,  serrated  ribs,  the  long,  jointed 
fingers  of  Death  himself. 

As  my  bewildered  brain  took  in  these  objects,  I  heard  a 
noise  in  the  bushes,  as  of  persons  engaged  in  an  angry 
struggle. 

"  Emile,  Emile  ! "  cried  a  female  voice,  "  you  shall  not 
murder  him — you  shall  not !  " 

"  Off  !  off ! — Marie,  let  me  go  ? "  was  shouted  in  the  rough 
accents  of  a  man. 

"Oh,  no!"  continued  the  female,  "you  shall  not — no — 
no—no ! " 

"  Curses  on  the  woman  !     There,  let  me  go  now !  " 

There  was  a  sound  as  of  some  one  struck  with  violence — 
a  scream — and  at  the  same  moment  a  human  figure  rushed 
out  of  the  bushes,  and,  confronting  me,  exclaimed  • 


A   SKELETON   ADVENTURE.  65 

"  Ha  !     Monsieur  le  Capitaine  !  coup  pour  coup !  " 

I   heard   no  more;  a   heavy  blow,   descending  upon  my 

temples,  deprived  me  of  all  power,  and  I  fell  senseless  to  the 

earth. 

When  I  returned  to  consciousness,  the  first  objects  I  saw 


Umbrella  Palms  of  Tropical  America. 

were  the  huge  brown  whiskers  of  Lincoln,  then  Lincoln  him 
self,  then  the  pale  face  of  the  boy  Jack ;  and,  finally,  the 
forms  of  several  soldiers  of  my  company.  I  saw  that  I  was 
in  my  own  tent,  and  stretched  upon  my  camp-bed. 

"  What ?— how  ?— what's  the  matter ?— what's  this?"     I 
5 


66  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

said,  raising  my  hands  to  the  bandage  of  wet  linen  that 
bound  my  temples. 

"  Keep  still,  cap'n,"  said  Bob,  taking  my  hand  from  the 
fillet  and  placing  it  by  my  side. 

"  Och  !  by  my  sowl,  he's  over  it ;  thank  the  Lord  for  His 
goodness  !  "  said  Chane,  an  Irish  soldier. 

"  Over  what  ?  what  has  happened  to  me  ?  "     I  inquired. 

"  Och,  captain,  yer  honner,  you've  been  nearly  murthered, 
and  all  by  thim  Frinch  scoundhrels  ;  bad  luck  to  their  dirty 
frog-atin'  picthers  !  " 

"  Murdered  !     French  scoundrels  !     Bob,  what  is  it  ?  " 

"Why,  yer  see,  cap'n,  you've  had  a  cut  hyur  over  the 
head ;  and  we  think  it's  them  Frenchmen." 

"  Oh  !  I  remember  now  ;  a  blow — but  the  Death  ? — the 
Death  ? " 

1  started  up  from  the  bed,  as  the  phantom  of  my  night 
adventure  returned  to  my  imagination. 

"The  Death,  cap'n? — what  do  yer  mean?"  inquired 
Lincoln,  holding  me  in  his  strong  arms. 

"  Oh !  the  cap'n  manes  the  skilleton,  maybe,"  said 
Chane. 

"  What  skeleton  ?  "     I  demanded. 

"  Why,  an  owld  skilleton  the  boys  found  in  the  chapparil, 
yer  honner.  They  hung  it  to  a  three ;  and  we  found  yer 
honner  there,  with  the  skilleton  swinging  over  ye  like  a  sign. 
Och  !  the  Frinch  bastes  !  " 

I  made  no  further  inquiries  about  the  "  Death." 

"  But  where  are  the  Frenchmen  ? "  asked  I,  after  a  mo 
ment. 

"  Clane  gone,  yer  honner,"  replied  Chane. 

"Gone?" 

"  Yes,  cap'n  ;  that's  so  as  he  sez  it,"  answered  Lincoln. 

"  Gone  !     What  do  you  mean  ?  "     I  inquired. 

"  Desarted,  cap'n." 

"  How  do  you  know  that  ? " 


A   SKELETON   ADVENTURE.  67 

"  Because  they  ain't  here." 

"  On  the  island  ?  " 

"  Searched  it  all— every  bush." 

"  But  who  ?  which  of  the  French  ? " 

"  Dubrosc  and  that  'ar  boy  that  was  always  with  him~«- 
both  desarted." 

"  Ay  and  the  devil  go  wid  them  !  He'll  niver  hiv  his  own 
till  he  gets  a  hoult  ov  Misther  Dubrosc  ;  bad  cess  to  him  ! " 

"  You  are  sure  they  are  missing  ? " 

"  Looked  high  and  low,  cap'n.  Gravenitz  seed  Dubrosc 
steal  into  the  chapparil  with  his  musket.  Shortly  afterwards 
we  heern  a  shot,  but  thought  nothin'  of  it  till  this  mornin', 
when  one  of  the  sodgers  foun'  a  Spanish  sombrary  out  thar  ; 
and  Chane  heern  some'dy  say  the  shot  passed  through  Major 
Twing's  markey.  Besides,  we  foun'  this  butcher-knife  where 
yer  was  lying." 

Lincoln  here  held  up  a  species  of  Mexican  sword  called  a 
machete. 

"  Ha  !— well." 

"  That's  all,  cap'n ;  only  its  my  belief  there  was  Mexicans 
on  this  island,  and  them  Frenchmen's  gone  with  them." 

After  Lincoln  left  me,  I  lay  musing  on  this  still  somewhat 
mysterious  affair.  My  memory,  however,  gradually  grew 
clearer ;  and  the  events  of  the  preceding  night  soon  became 
linked  together  and  formed  a  complete  chain.  The  shot  that 
passed  so  near  my  head  in  Twing's  tent — the  boat — the 
French  words  I  had  heard  before  I  received  the  blow — and 
the  exclamation,  "  coup  pour  coup  /" — all  convinced  me  that 
Lincoln's  conjectures  were  right. 

Dubrosc  had  fired  the  shot,  and  struck  the  blow  that  had 
left  me  senseless. 

But  who  could  the  woman  be  whose  voice  I  had  heard 
pleading  in  my  behalf  ? 

My  thoughts  reverted  to  the  boy  who  had  gone  off  with 
Dubrosc,  and  whom  I  had  often  observed  in  the  company 


68  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

of  the  latter.  A  strange  attachment  appeared  to  exist 
between  them,  in  which  the  boy  seemed  to  be  the  devoted 
slave  of  the  strong,  fierce  Creole.  Could  this  be  a 
woman  ? 

I  recollected  having  been  struck  which  his  delicate  fea 
tures,  the  softness  of  his  voice,  and  the  smallness  of  his  hands. 
There  were  other  points,  besides,  in  the  tournure  of  the  boy's 
figure,  that  had  appeared  singular  to  me.  I  had  frequently 
observed  the  eyes  of  this  lad  bent  upon  me,  when  Dubrosc 
was  not  present,  with  a  strange  and  unaccountable  expres 
sion. 

Many  other  peculiarities  connected  with  the  boy  and 
Dubrosc,  which  at  the  time  had  passed  unnoticed  and  un 
heeded,  now  presented  themselves  to  my  recollection,  all 
tending  to  prove  the  identity  of  the  boy  with  the  woman 
whose  voice  I  had  heard  in  the  thicket. 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  night's  adventures — de 
termined,  however,  to  conceal  that  part  which  related  to  the 
skeleton. 

In  a  few  days  my  strength  was  restored.  The  cut  I  had 
received  was  not  deep — thanks  to  my  forage-cap  and  the 
bluntness  of  the  Frenchman's  weapon. 


Shells  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE    LANDING  AT    SACRIFICIOS. 


ARLY  in  the  month  of 
March,    the    troops    at 
Lobos  were  reembarked, 
and    dropped    down    to 
the    roadstead  of  Anton,  Lizardo. 
The  American  fleet  was   already 
at  anchor  there  and  in  a  few  days 
above  a  hundred  sail  of  transports 
had  joined  it. 

There  is  no  city,  no  village,  hardly  a  habitation  upon  this 
half-desert  coast.  The  aspect  is  an  interminable  waste  of 
sandy  hills,  rendered  hirsute  and  picturesque  by  the  plumed 
frondage  of  the  palm-tree. 

We  dared  not  go  ashore,  although  the  smooth  white  beach 
tempted  us  strongly.  A  large  body  of  the  enemy  was  en 
camped  behind  the  adjacent  ridges,  and  patrols  could  be 
seen  at  intervals  galloping  along  the  beach. 

I  could  not  help  fancying  what  must  have  been  the  feel 
ing  of  the  inhabitants  in  regard  to  our  ships — a  strange  sight 
upon  this  desert  coast,  and  not  a  pleasing  one  to  them, 

69 


70  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

knowing  that  within  those  dark  hulls  were  concealed  the 
hosts  of  their  armed  invaders.  Laocoon  looked  not  with 
more  dread  upon  the  huge  ribs  of  the  Danaic  horse  than  did 
the  simple  peasant  of  Anahuac  upon  this  fleet  of  "  oak  levia 
thans"  that  lay  within  so  short  a  distance  of  his  shores. 

To  us  the  scene  possessed  an  interest  of  a  far  different 
character.  "  We  looked  proudly  upon  these  magnificent 
models  of  naval  architecture — upon  their  size,  their  number 
and  their  admirable  adaptation.  We  viewed  with  the  chang 
ing  cheek  and  kindling  eye  this  noble  exhibition  of  a  free 
people's  strength  ;  and  as  the  broad  banner  of  our  country 
swung  out  upon  the  breeze  of  the  tropics,  we  could  not  help 
exulting  in  the  glory  of  that  great  nation  whose  uniform  we 
wore  around  our  bodies. 

It  was  no  dream.  We  saw  the  burnished  cannon  and  the 
bright  epaulette,  the  gleaming  button  and  the  glancing  bay 
onet.  We  heard  the  startling  trumpet,  the  stirring  drum,  and 
the  shrill  and  thrilling  fife  ;  and  our  souls  drank  in  all  those 
glorious  sights  and  sounds  that  form  at  once  the  spirit  and 
the  witchery  of  war. 

The  landing  was  to  take  place  on  the  pth  ;  and  the  point 
of  debarkation  fixed  upon  was  the  beach  opposite  the  island 
of  Sacrificios,  just  out  of  range  of  the  guns  of  Vera  Cruz. 
******* 

The  Qth  of  March  rose  like  a  dream,  bright,  balmy,  and 
beautiful.  The  sea  was  scarcely  stirred  by  the  gentlest 
breeze  of  the  tropics  ;  but  this  breeze,  light  as  it  was,  blew 
directly  in  our  favor. 

At  an  early  hour  I  observed  a  strange  movement  among 
the  ships  composing  the  fleet.  Signals  were  changing  in 
quick  succession,  and  boats  gliding  rapidly  to  and  fro. 

Before  daybreak  the  huge  surf-boats  had  been  drawn 
down  from  their  moorings,  and  with  long  hempen  hawsers 
attached  to  the  ships  and  steamers. 

The  descent  was  about  to  be  made.    The  ominous  cloud 


THE    LANDING  AT   SACRIFICIOS.  71 

which  had  hung  dark  and  threatening  over  the  shores  of  Mex 
ico  was  about  to  burst  upon  that  devoted  land.  But  where  ? 
The  enemy  could  not  tell,  and  were  preparing  to  receive  us 
on  the  adjacent  shore. 

The  black  cylinder  began  to  smoke,  and  the  murky  cloud 
rolled  down  upon  the  water,  half  obscuring  the  fleet.  Here 
and  there  abroad  sail,  freshly  unfurled,  hung  stiffly  from  the 
yard ;  the  canvas,  escaping  from  its  gasket  fastenings,  had 
not  yet  been  braced  round  to  the  breeze. 

Soldiers  were  seen  standing  along  the  decks  ;  some  in  full 
equipments,  clutching  the  bright  barrels  of  their  muskets ; 
while  others  were  buckling  on  their  white  belts,  or  cramming 
their  cartouche-boxes. 

Officers,  in  sash  and  sword,  paced  the  polished  quarter 
decks,  or  talked  earnestly  in  groups,  or  watched  with  eager 
eyes  the  motions  of  the  various  ships. 

Unusual  sounds  were  heard  on  all  sides.  The  deep-toned 
chorus  of  the  sailor — the  creaking  of  the  capstan,  and  the 
clanking  of  the  iron  cogs  ;  the  "  heave-ho  !  "  at  the  windlass, 
and  the  grating  of  the  huge  anchor-chain,  as  link  after  link 
rasped  through  the  rusty  ring — sounds  that  warned  us  to 
make  ready  for  a  change. 

In  the  midst  of  these  came  the  brisk  rolling  of  a  drum. 
It  was  answered  by  another,  and  another,  and  still  another, 
until  all  voices  were  drowned  by  the  deafening  noise.  Then 
followed  the  mingling  shouts  of  command — a  rushing  over 
the  decks — and  streams  of  blue-clad  men  poured  down  the 
dark  sides,  and  seated  themselves  in  the  surf-boats.  These 
were  filled  in  a  twinkling,  and  all  was  silent  as  before. 
Every  voice  was  hushed  in  expectation,  and  every  eye  bent 
upon  the  little  black  steamer  which  carried  the  commander- 
in-chief. 

Suddenly  a  cloud  of  smoke  rose  up  from  her  quarter ;  a  sheet 
of  flame  shot  out  horizontally  ;  and  the  report  of  a  heavy  gun 
shook  the  atmosphere  like  an  earthquake.  Before  its  echoes 


72  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

had  subsided,  a  deafening  cheer  ran  simultaneously  through 
the  fleet ;  and  the  ships,  all  together,  as  if  impelled  by  some 
hidden  and  supernatural  power,  broke  from  their  moorings, 
and  dashed  through  the  water  with  the  velocity  of  the  wind. 
Away  to  the  northwest,  in  an  exciting  race  ;  away  for  the 
island  of  Sacrificios  ! 

On  struggled  the  ships,  bending  to  the  breeze,  and  cleav 
ing  the  crystal  water  with  their  bold  bows  ;  on  the  steamers, 
beating  the  blue  waves  into  a  milky  way,  and  dragging  the 
laden  boats  in  their  foamy  track.  On  followed  the  boats 
through  the  hissing  and  frothy  caldron.  Loud  rolled  the 
drum,  loud  brayed  the  bugle,  and  loud  huzzas  echoed  from 
the  adjacent  shores. 

Already  the  foe  was  alarmed  and  alert.  Light  horsemen 
with  streaming  haste  galloped  up  the  coast.  Lancers,  with 
gay  trappings  and  long  pennons,  appeared  through  the  open 
ings  of  the  hills.  Foaming,  prancing  steeds  flew  with  light 
artillery  over  the  naked  ridges,  dashing  madly  down  deep 
defiles,  and  crushing  the  cactus  with  their  whirling  wheels. 
"  Andela  !  Andela  !  "  was  their  cry.  In  vain  they  urged  their 
horses — in  vain  they  drove  the  spur  deep  and  bloody  into 
their  smoking  sides.  The  elements  were  against  them,  and 
in  favor  of  their  foes. 

The  earth  and  the  water  were  their  impediments,  while 
the  air  and  the  water  were  the  allies  of  their  enemies.  They 
clung  and  sweltered  through  the  hot  and  yielding  sand,  or 
sank  in  the  marshy  borders  of  the  Mandinga  and  the  Medel- 
lin,  while  steam  and  the  wind  drove  the  ships  of  their  adver 
saries  like  arrows  through  the  water. 

The  alarm  spread  up  the  coast.  Bugles  were  sounding, 
and  horsemen  galloped  through  the  streets  of  Vera  Cruz. 
The  alarm-drum  beat  in  the  plaza,  and  the  long  roll  echoed 
in  every  cuartel. 

Signal-rockets  shot  up  from  San  Juan,  and  were  answered 
by  others  from  Santiago  and  Conception. 


THE    LANDING   AT   SACRIFICIOS.  73 

Thousands  of  dark  forms  clustered  upon  the  roofs  of  the 
city  and  the  ramparts  of  the  castle  ;  and  thousands  of  pale 
lips  whispered  in  accents  of  terror,  "  They  come  !  they 
come !  " 

As  yet  they  knew  not  how  the  attack  was  to  be  made,  or 
where  to  look  for  our  descent. 

They  imagined  that  we  were  about  to  bombard  their  proud 
fortress  of  San  Juan,  and  expected  soon  to  see  the  ships  of 
these  rash  invaders  shattered  and  sunk  before  its  walls. 

The  fleet  was  almost  within  long  range,  the  black  buoy 
ant  hulls  bounded  fearlessly  over  the  water.  The  eager 
crowd  thickened  upon  the  walls.  The  artillerists  of  Santiago 
had  gathered  around  their  guns,  silent  and  waiting  orders. 
Already  the  burning  fuse  was  sending  forth  its  sulphurous 
smell,  and  the  dry  powder  lay  temptingly  on  the  touch,  when 
a  quick,  sharp  cry  was  heard  along  the  walls  and  battle 
ments,  a  cry  of  mingled  rage,  disappointment,  and  dismay. 

The  foremost  shiphad  swerved  suddenly  from  the  track  ; 
and  bearing  sharply  to  the  left,  under  the  manege  of  a  skil 
ful  helmsman,  was  running  down  under  the  shelter  of  Sacri- 
ficios. 

The  next  ship  followed  her  guide,  and  the  next,  and  the 
next ;  and,  before  the  astonished  multitude  recovered  from 
their  surprise,  the  whole  fleet  had  come-to  within  pistol-shot 
of  the  island  ! 

The  enemy  now,  for  the  first  time,  perceived  the  ruse,  and 
began  to  calculate  its  results.  Those  giant  ships,  that  but 
a  moment  ago  seemed  rushing  to  destruction,  had  rounded 
to  at  a  safe  distance,  and  were  preparing,  with  the  speed  and 
skilfulness  of  a  perfect  discipline,  to  pour  a  hostile  host  upon 
the  defenseless  shores.  In  vain  the  cavalry  bugle  called 
their  horsemen  to  the  saddle  ;  in  vain  the  artillery  car 
rattled  along  the  streets  ;  both  would  be  too  late  ? 

Meanwhile,  the  ships  let  fall  their  anchors,  with  a  plunge, 
and  a  rasping,  and  a  rattle.  The  sails  came  down  upon  the 


74  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

yards ;  and  sailors  swung  themselves  into  the  great  surf- 
boats,  and  mixed  with  the  soldiers,  and  seized  the  oars. 

Then  the  blades  were  suddenly  and  simultaneously 
dropped  on  the  surface  of  the  wave,  a  naval  officer  in  each 
boat  directing  the  movements  of  the  oarsmen. 

And  the  boats  pulled  out  nearer,  and  by  an  e'chelon  move 
ment  took  their  places  in  line. 

Light  ships  of  war  were  thrown  upon  our  flanks,  to  cover 
the  descent  by  a  cross  fire.  No  enemy  had  yet  appeared, 
and  all  eyes  were  turned  landward  with  fiery  expectation. 
Bounding  hearts  waited  impatiently  for  the  signal. 

The  report  of  a  single  gun  was  at  length  heard  from  the 
ship  of  the  commander-in-chief  ;  and,  as  if  by  one  impulse, 
a  thousand  oars  struck  the  water,  and  flung  up  the  spray  upon 
their  broad  blades.  A  hundred  boats  leaped  forward 
simultaneously.  The  powerful  stroke  was  repeated,  and 
propelled  them  with  lightning  speed.  Now  was  the  exciting 
race,  the  regatta  of  war  !  The  Dardan  rowers  would  have 
been  distanced  here. 

On  !  on !  with  the  velocity  of  the  wind,  over  the  blue 
waves,  through  the  snowy  surf — on  ! 

And  now  we  neared  the  shore,  and  officers  sprang  to 
their  feet,  and  stood  with  their  swords  drawn  ;  and  soldiers 
half  sat,  half  crouched,  clutching  their  muskets.  And  the 
keels  gritted  upon  the  gravelly  bed  ;  and,  at  the  signal,  a 
thousand  men,  in  one  plunge,  flung  themselves  into  the 
water,  and  dashed  madly  through  the  surf.  Thousands  fol 
lowed,  holding  their  cartridge-boxes  breast  high  ;  and  blades 
were  glancing,  and  bayonets  gleaming,  and  banners  waving  ; 
and  under  glancing  blades,  and  gleaming  bayonets,  and 
waving  banners,  the  dark  mass  rushed  high  upon  the 
beach. 

Then  came  a  cheer — loud,  long,  and  exulting.  It  pealed 
along  the  whole  line,  uttered  from  five  thousand  throats, 
and  answered  by  twice  that  number  from  the  anchored  ships,,, 


THE   LANDING  AT  SACRIPICIOS. 


75 


It  echoed   along   the  shores,  and  back   from   the   distant 
battlements. 

A  color-sergeant,  springing  forward,  rushed  up  the 
steep  sides  of  a  sand-hill,  and  planted  his  flag  upon  its  snowy 
ridge. 

As  the  well-known  banner  swung  out  upon  the  breeze, 
another  cheer,  wild  and  thrilling,  ran  along  the  line  ;  a  hun 
dred  answering  flags  were  hauled  up  through  the  fleet  ;  the 
ships  of  war  saluted  with  full  broadsides  ;  and  the  guns  of 
San  Juan,  now  for  the  first  time  waking  from  their  lethargic 
silence,  poured  forth  their  loudest  thunder. 

The  sun  was  just  setting  as  our  column  commenced  its 
advance  inward.  After  winding  for  a  short  distance  through 
the  defiles  of  the  sand-hills,  we  halted  for  the  night,  our 
left  wing  resting  upon  the  beach. 

The  soldiers  bivouacked  without  tents  —  sleeping  upon 
their  arms,  with  the  soft  sand  for  their  couch  and  the  car 
tridge-box  for  their  pillow. 


rtf  mniff  ur 


iff  cifi;  '  i  >  \mrnm'-  n  v  "n  vutii-tn 
HfKtt?  t«  *••  iriwaiij  it  w  i  iiFif'^E  iirn 
itiiifii'  IT  ;  i  lei  mi  mu  ;  •iUii  mm 


IJUIC  L  mfrtlllili^i  II  lllBHt 
jMtri  I  ti  LUtllHitlJ  \  ..  '-4  ii?.  EiCi'li 

.teriit  t  'i.  eiiir*iiini  w  mimm 

Ultllili  I  BilKeMKElE)  ,t  HI".    RKKIfilCC 

iiiuuG  t  ivifirturrt  n  <  iiutictK 
mum  t  ft  FtilFME  ii  irt  it  it  »  t 
i  iiiBti  <i  rn  irtiii  u  ULititi 


Red  Corals  of  the  Caribbean  Sea. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  CITY  OF  THE   TRUE  CROSS. 

ERA  CRUZ  is  a  fortified  city. 
Round  and  round  it  is  girt  by  a 
wall,  with  regular  batteries  placed 
at  intervals.  You  enter  it  from  the 
land  side  by  three  gates,  (garitas) 
and  from  the  sea  by  a  beautiful 
pier  or  mole  that  projects  some 
distance  into  the  water.  The  lat 
ter  is  a  modern  construction  ;  and 
when  the  sun  is  descending  be 
hind  the  Mexican  Cordilleras  to  the  west,  and  the  breeze 
blows  in  from  the  Gulf,  this  mole — the  seat  of  but  little 
commercial  activity — becomes  the  favorite  promenade  of 
the  dark-eyed  Vera-Cruzanas  and  their  pallid  lovers. 

The  city  stands  on  the  very  beach.  The  sea  at  full  tide 
washes  its  battlements,  and  many  of  the  houses  overlook  the 
water.  On  almost  every  side  a  plain  of  sand  extends  to  a 
mile's  distance  from  the  walls,  where  it  terminates  in  those 
lofty  white  sand-ridges  that  form  a  feature  of  the  shores  of  the 
76 


THE   CITY   OF   THE   TRUE   CROSS.  77 

Mexican  Gulf.  During  high  tides  and  "northers"  the  sea 
washes  over  the  surrounding  sand-plain,  and  Vera  Cruz  ap 
pears  almost  isolated  amid  the  waves.  On  one  side,  however, 
towards  the  south,  there  is  variety  in  the  aspect.  Here  ap 
pear  traces  of  vegetation — some  low  trees  and  bushes,  a 
view  of  the  forest  inward  into  the  country,  a  few  buildings 
outside  the  walls,  a  railway  station,  a  cemetery,  an  aqueduct, 
a  small  sluggish  stream,  marshes  and  stagnant  pools. 

In  front  of  the  city,  built  upon  the  coral  reef,  stands  the 
celebrated  fortress-castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulloa.  It  is  about 
one  thousand  yards  out  from  the  mole,  and  over  one  of  its  an 
gles  towers  a  lighthouse.  Its  walls,  with  the  reef  on  which 
stands  (Gallega),  shelter  the  harbor  of  Vera  Cruz — which 
in  fact,  is  only  a  roadstead — from  the  north  winds.  Under 
the  lee  of  San  Juan  the  ships  of  commerce  lie  at  anchor, 
There  are  but  few  of  them  at  any  time. 

Another  large  fort  (Concepcion)  stands  upon  the  beach  at 
the  northern  angle  of  the  city,  and  a  third  (Santiago)  de 
fends  it  toward  the  south.  A  circular  bastion,  with  heavy 
pieces  of  ordnance,  sweeps  the  plain  to  the  rear,  command 
ing  it,  as  far  as  the  sand-ridges. 

Vera  Cruz  is  a  pretty  picture  to  look  at,  either  from  the 
sea  or  from  the  sand-hills  in  the  interior.  Its  massive  domes 
— its  tall  steeples  and  turreted  roofs — its  architecture,  half 
Moorish,  half  modern — the  absence  of  scattered  suburbs  or 
other  salient  objects  to  distract  the  eye — all  combine  to 
render  the  City  of  the  True  Cross  a  unique  and  striking  pic 
ture.  In  fact,  its  numerous  architectural  varieties,  bound 
as  they  are  into  compact  unity  by  a  wall  of  dark  lava-stone, 
impress  you  with  the  idea  that  some  artist  had  arranged 
them  for  the  sake  of  effect.  The  coup-d'ceil  often  reminded 
me  of  the  engravings  of  cities  in  "  Goldsmith's  Epitome," 
that  used  to  be  considered  the  bright  spots  in  my  lessons  of 
school  geography. 

*  *    '        *  *  »  *  * 


78  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

At  break  of  day,  on  the  loth,  the  army  took  up  its  line  of 
march  through  hills  of  sand-drift.  Division  lapped  upon 
division,  regiment  upon  regiment,,  extending  the  circle  of  in 
vestment  by  an  irregular  e'chelon.  Foot  rifles  and  light  in 
fantry  drove  the  enemy  from  ridge  to  ridge,  and  through 
the  dark  mazes  of  the  chapparal  gorge.  The  column  con 
tinued  its  tortuous  track,  winding  through  deep  defiles,  and 
over  hot  white  hills,  like  a  bristling  snake.  It  moved  with 
in  range  of  the  guns  of  the  city,  screened  by  intervening 
heights.  Now  and  then  the  loud  cannon  of  Santiago 
opened  upon  it,  some  regiment  displayed  itself,  crossing 
a  defile  or  pushing  over  the  spur  of  a  sand-hill.  The  con 
stant  rattling  of  rifles  and  musketry  told  that  our  skirmishers 
were  busy  in  the  advance.  The  arsenal  was  carried  by  a 
brilliant  charge,  and  the  American  flag  waved  over  the  ruins 
of  the  Convent  Malibran.  On  the  nth  the  Orizava  road 
was  crossed,  and  the  light  troops  of  the  enemy  were  brushed 
from  the  neighboring  hills.  They  retired  sullenly  under 
shelter  of  their  heavy  guns,  and  within  the  walls  of  the  city. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i2th,  the  investment  was  complete. 
Vera  Cruz  lay  within  a  semicircle,  around  its  center.  The 
half  circumference  was  a  chain  of  hostile  regiments  that  em 
braced  the  city  in  their  concave  arc.  The  right  of  this 
chain  pitched  its  tents  opposite  the  isle  of  Sacrificios  ;  while, 
five  miles  off  to  the  north,  its  left  rested  upon  the  hamlet 
Vergara.  The  sea  covered  the  complement  of  this  circle, 
guarded  by  a  fleet  of  dark  and  warlike  ships. 

The  diameter  hourly  grew  shorter.  The  lines  of  circum- 
vallation  lapped  closer  and  closer  around  the  devoted  city, 
until  the  American  pickets  appeared  along  the  ridges  of  the 
nearest  hills,  and  within  range  of  the  guns  of  Santiago,  Con- 
cepcion,  and  Ulloa. 

A  smooth  sand-plain,  only  a  mile  in  width,  lay  between 
the  besiegers  and  the  walls  of  the  besieged. 


THE   CITY   OF  THE   TRUE   CROSS.  79 

After  tattoo-beat  on  the  night  of  the  i2th,  with  a  party  of 
my  brother  officers,  I  ascended  the  high  hill  around  which 
winds  the  road  leading  to  Orizava. 

This  hill  overlooks  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz. 

After  dragging  ourselves  wearily  through  the  soft,  yielding 
sand,  we  reached  the  summit,  and  halted  on  a  projecting 
ridge. 

With  the  exception  of  a  variety  of  exclamations  expressing 
surprise  and  delight,  not  a  word  for  a  while  was  uttered  by 
any  of  our  party,  each  individual  being  wrapped  up  in  the 
contemplation  of  a  scene  of  surpassing  interest.  It  was 
moonlight,  and  sufficiently  clear  to  distinguish  the  minutest 
objects  on  the  picture  that  lay  rolled  out  before  us  like  a 
map. 

Below  our  position,  and  seeming  almost  within  reach  of 
the  hand,  lay  the  city  of  the  True  Cross,  rising  out  of  the 
white  plain,  and  outlined  upon  the  blue  background  of  the 
sea. 

The  dark  gray  towers  and  painted  domes  ;  the  Gothic 
turret  and  Moorish  minaret,  impressed  us  with  the  idea  of 
the  antique  ;  while  here  and  there  the  tamarind,  nourished 
on  some  azotea,  or  the  fringed  fronds  of  the  palm-tree, 
drooping  over  the  notched  parapet,  lent  to  the  city  an  as 
pect  at  once  southern  and  picturesque. 

Domes,  spires  and  cupolas  rose  over  the  old  gray  walls, 
crowned  with  floating  banners — the  consular  flags  of  France, 
and  Spain,  and  Britain,  waving  alongside  the  eagle  of  the 
Aztecs. 

Beyond,  the  blue  waters  of  the  Gulf  rippled  lightly 
against  the  sea-washed  battlements  of  San  Juan,  whose 
brilliant  lights  glistened  along  the  combing  of  the  surf. 

To  the  south  we  could  distinguish  the  isle  of  Sacrificios, 
and  the  dark  hulls  that  slept  silently  under  the  shelter  of  its 
coral  reef. 

Outside  the  fortified  wall,  which  girt  the  city  with  its 


80  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

cincture  of  gray  rock,  a  smooth  plain  stretched  rearward  to 
the  foot  of  the  hill  on  which  we  stood ;  and  right  and  left 
along  the  crest  of  the  ridge  from  Punta  Hornos  to  Vergara, 
ranged  a  line  of  dark  forms — the  picket  sentries  of  the 
American  outposts  as  they  stood  knee-deep  in  the  soft, 
yielding  sand-drift. 

It  was  a  picture  of  surpassing  interest ;  and,  as  we  stood 
gazing  upon  it,  the  moon  suddenly  disappeared  behind  a 
bank  of  clouds ;  and  the  lamps  of  the  city,  heretofore 
eclipsed  by  her  brighter  beam,  now  burned  up  and  glistened 
along  the  walls. 

Bells  rang  merrily  from  church-towers,  and  bugles 
sounded  through  the  echoing  streets.  At  intervals  we 
could  hear  the  shrill  cries  of  the  guard  :  "  Centinela  !  alerte  !  " 
and  the  sharp  challenge,  "  Quien  viva  ?  " 

Then  the  sound  of  sweet  music,  mingled  with  the  soft  voices 
of  women,  was  wafted  to  our  ears ;  and  with  beating  hearts 
we  fancied  we  could  hear  the  light  tread  of  silken  feet,  as 
they  brushed  over  the  polished  floor  of  the  ball-room. 

It  was  a  tantalizing  moment,  and  wistful  glances  were 
cast  on  the  beleaguered  town ;  while  more  than  one  of  our 
party  was  heard  impatiently  muttering  a  wish  that  it  might 
be  carried  by  assault. 

As  we  continued  gazing,  a  bright  jet  of  flame  shot  out 
horizontally  from  the  parapet  over  Puerto  Nuevo. 

"  Look  out !  "  cried  Twing,  at  the  same  instant  flinging 
his  wiry  little  carcass  squat  under  the  brow  of  a  sand- 
wreath. 

Several  of  the  party  followed  his  example ;  but,  before  all 
had  housed  themselves,  a  shot  came  singing  past,  along 
with  the  loud  report  of  a  twenty-four. 

The  shot  struck  the  comb  of  the  ridge,  within  several 
yards  of  the  group,  and  ricocheted  off  into  the  distant  hills. 

"  Try  it  again  !  "  cried  one. 

"  That  fellow  has  lost  a  champagne  supper !  "  said  Twing 


THE   CITY   OF   THE   TRUE   CROSS.  8l 

"  More  likely  he  has  had  it,  or  his  aim  would  be  more 
steady,"  suggested  an  officer. 

"  Oysters,  too — only  think  of  it !  "  said  Clayley. 

*  Howld  your  tongue,  Clayley,  or  by  my  soul  I'll  charge 
down  upon  the  town  !  " 

This  came  from  Hennessy,  upon  whose  imagination  the 
contrast  between  champagne  and  oysters  and  the  gritty 
pork  and  biscuit  he  had  been  feeding  upon  for  several  days 
past,  acted  like  a  shock. 

"  There  again  !  "  cried  Twing,  whose  quick  eye  caught 
the  blaze  upon  the  parapet. 

"  A  shell,  by  the  powers  "  exclaimed  Hennessy.  "  Let  it 
dhrop  first,  or  it  may  dhrop  on  ye/'  he  continued,  as  several 
officers  were  about  to  fling  themselves  on  their  faces. 

The  bomb  shot  up  with  a  hissing,  hurtling  sound.  A 
little  spark  could  be  seen  as  it  traced  its  graceful  curves 
through  the  dark  heavens. 

The  report  echoed  from  the  walls,  and  at  the  same  instant, 
was  heard  a  dull  sound,  as  the  shell  buried  itself  in  the 
sand-drift. 

It  fell  close  to  one  of  the  picket  sentinels,  who  was  stand 
ing  upon  his  post  within  a  few  paces  of  the  group.  The 
man  appeared  to  be  either  asleep  or  stupefied,  as  he 
remained  stock-still.  Perhaps  he  had  mistaken  it  for  the 
ricochet  of  a  round  shot. 

"  It's  big  shooting  for  them  to  hit  the  hill !  "  exclaimed  a 
young  officer. 

The  words  were  scarcely  passed  when  a  loud  crash,  like 
the  bursting  of  a  cannon,  was  heard  under  our  feet ;  the 
ground  opened  like  an  earthquake  ;  and,  amidst  the  whis 
tling  of  the  fragments,  the  sand  was  dashed  into  our 
faces. 

A  cloud  of  dust  hung  for  a  moment  above  the  spot.  The 
moon  at  this  instant  reappeared ;  and,  as  the  dust  slowly 
settled  away,  the  mutilated  body  of  the  soldier  was  seen 
9 


82  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

upon  the  brow  of  the  hill,  at  the  distance  of  twenty  paces 
from  his  post. 

A  low  cheer  reached  us  from  Concepcion,  the  fort  whence 
the  shell  had  been  projected. 

Chagrined  at  the  occurrence,  and  mortified  that  it  had 
been  caused  by  our  imprudence,  we  were  turning  to  leave 
the  hill,  when  the  "  whish  "  of  a  rocket  attracted  our  atten 
tion. 

It  rose  from  the  chapparal,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
rear  of  the  camp  ;  and,  before  it  had  reached  its  culminating 
point,  an  answering  signal  shot  up  from  the  Puerto  Nuevo. 

At  the  same  instant  a  horseman  dashed  out  of  the  thicket, 
and  headed  his  horse  at  the  steep  sand-hills.  After  three 
or  four  desperate  plunges,  the  fiery  mustang  gained  the 
crest  of  the  ridge  upon  which  lay  the  remains  of  the  dead 
soldier. 

Here  the  rider,  seeing  our  party,  suddenly  reined  up  and 
balanced  for  a  moment  in  the  stirrup,  as  if  uncertain 
whether  to  advance  or  retreat. 

We,  on  the  other  hand,  taking  him  for  some  officer  of  our 
own,  and  wondering  who  it  could  be  galloping  about  at  such 
an  hour,  stood  silent  and  waiting. 

"  By  heavens,  that's  a  Mexican  ?  muttered  Twing,  as  the 
ranchero  dress  became  apparent  under  a  brighter  beam  of 
the  moon. 

Before  anyone  could  reply,  the  strange  horseman  wheeled 
sharply  to  the  left,  and,  drawing  a  pistol,  fired  it  into  our 
midst.  Then  spurring  his  wild  horse,  he  galloped  past  us 
into  a  deep  defile  of  the  hills. 

"  You're  a  set  of  cussed  Yankee  fools ! "  he  shouted 
back,  as  he  reached  the  bottom  of  the  dell. 

Half  a  dozen  shots  replied  to  the  taunting  speech ;  but 
the  retreating  object  was  beyond  pistol  range  before  our 
astonished  party  had  recovered  from  their  surprise  at  such 
an  act  of  daring  audacity. 


THE   CITY   OF  THE   TRUE   CROSS.  83 

In  a  few  minutes  we  could  see  both  horse  and  rider  near 
the  walls  of  the  city — a  speck  on  the  white  plain  ;  and 
shortly  after  we  heard  the  grating  hinges  of  the  Puerto  Nuevc\ 
as  the  huge  gate  swung  open  to  receive  him.  No  one  was 
hit  by  the  shot  of  his  pistol.  Several  could  be  heard  grit 
ting  their  teeth  with  mortification  as  we  commenced  de 
scending  the  hill. 

"  Did  you  know  that  voice,  captain  ? "  whispered  Clayley 
to  me  as  we  returned-  to  camp. 

"  Yes." 

"  You  think  it  was " 

"  Dubrosc." 


CHAPTER  X. 

MAJOR     BLOSSOM. 

N   reaching    the    camp    I    found    a 
mounted  orderly  in  front  of  my  tent. 
"  From    the   general,"    said    the 
soldier,  touching  his  cap,  and  hand 
ing  me  a  sealed  note. 
The   orderly,   without  waiting   a   reply,  leaped   into   his 
saddle  and  rode  off. 

I  broke  the  seal  with  delight : 

"  SIR, — You  will  report,  with  fifty  men,  to  Major  Blossom,  at  4  A.  M. 
to-morrow. 

"  By  order, 

(Signed)  "A.  A.  A.  G. 

"  Captain  Haller,  commanding 
Co.  Rifle  Rangers." 

"  Old  Bios,  eh  ?     Quartermaster  scouting,  I  hope,"  said 
Clayley,  looking  over  the  contents  of  the  note. 
"  Anything  but  the  trenches  ;  I  am  sick  of  them." 

"  Had    it    been    anybody    else    but    Blossom — fighting 
84 


MAJOR    BLOSSOM.  85 

Daniels,  for  instance — we  might  have  reckoned  on  a  com 
fortable  bit  of  duty ;  but  the  old  whale  can  hardly  climb 
into  his  saddle — it  does  look  bad." 

"  I  will  not  long  remain  in  doubt.  Order  the  sergeant  to 
warn  the  men  for  four." 

I  walked  through  the  camp  in  search  of  Blossom's 
marquee,  which  I  found  in  a  grove  of  caoutchouc-trees,  and 
out  of  range  of  the  heaviest  metal  in  Vera  Cruz.  The  major 
himself  was  seated  in  a  large  Campeachy  chair,  that  had 
been  "  borrowed  "  from  some  neighboring  rancho ;  and 
perhaps  it  was  never  so  well  rilled  as  by  its  present  oc 
cupant. 

It  would  be  useless  to  attempt  an  elaborate  description 
of  Major  Blossom.  That  would  require  an  entire  chapter. 

Perhaps  the  best  that  can  be  done  to  give  the  reader  an 
idea  of  him  is  to  say  that  he  was  a  great,  fat,  red  man,  and 
known  among  his  brother  officers  as  "  the  swearing  major. " 
If  anyone  in  the  army  loved  good  living,  it  was  Major 
Blossom ;  and  if  anyone  hated  hard  living,  that  man  was 
Major  George  Blossom.  He  hated  Mexicans  too,  and 
mosquitoes,  and  scorpions,  and  snakes,  and  sand-flies,  and 
all  enemies  to  his  rest  and  comfort;  and  the  manner  in 
which  he  swore  at  these  natural  foes  would  have  enti 
tled  him  to  a  high  commission  in  the  celebrated  army  of 
Flanders. 

Major  Blossom  was  a  quartermaster  in  more  senses  than 
one,  as  he  occupied  more  quarters  than  any  two  men  in  the 
army,  not  excepting  the  general-in-chief ;  and  when  many  a 
braver  man  and  better  officer  was  cut  down  to  "  twenty-five 
pounds  of  baggage,"  the  private  lumber  of  Major  Blossom, 
including  himself,  occupied  a  string  of  wagons  like  a  siege- 
train. 

As  I  entered  the  tent  he  was  seated  at  supper.  The 
viands  before  him  were  in  striking  contrast  to  the  food  upon 
which  the  army  was  then  subsisting.  There  was  no  gravel 


86  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

gritting  between  the  major's  teeth  as  he  masticated  mess« 
pork  or  moldy  biscuit.  He  found  no  debris  of  sand  and 
small  rocks  at  the  bottom  of  his  coffee-cup.  No  ;  quite  the 
contrary. 

A  dish  of  pickled  salmon,  a  side  of  cold  turkey,  a  plate  of 
sliced  tongue,  with  a  fine  Virginia  ham,  were  the  striking  fea 
tures  of  the  major's  supper,  while  a  handsome  French  cof 
fee-urn,  containing  the  essence  of  Mocha,  simmered  upon 
the  table.  Out  of  this  the  major,  from  time  to  time,  replen 
ished  his  silver  cup.  A  bottle  of  eau-de-vie,  that  stood  near 
his  right  hand,  assisted  him  likewise  in  swallowing  his 
ample  ration. 

"  Major  Blossom,  I  presume  ?  "  said  I. 

"  My  name,"  ejaculated  the  major,  between  two  swallows, 
so  short  and  quick  that  the  phrase  sounded  like  a  monosyl 
lable. 

"  I  have  received  orders  to  report  to  you,  sir." 

"  Ah  !  bad  business  !  bad  business  !  "  exclaimed  the  major, 
qualifying  the  words  with  an  energetic  oath. 

«  How,  sir  ? " 

"  Atrocious  business  !  dangerous  service  !  Can't  see  why 
they  sent  me" 

"  I  came,  major,  to  inquire  the  nature  of  the  service,  so 
that  I  may  have  my  men  in  order  for  it." 

"  Confounded  dangerous  service." 

"  It  is  ? 

"  Infernal  cut-throats  !  thousands  of  'em  in  the  bushes — 
bore  a  man  through  as  soon  as  wink.  Those  yellow  devils 

are  worse  than "  and  again  the  swearing  major  wound  up 

with  an  exclamation  not  proper  to  be  repeated. 

"  Can't  see  why  they  picked  me  out.  There's  Myers,  and 
Wayne  and  Wood,  not  half  my  size,  and  that  thin  scare-the- 
crows,  Allen  ;  but  no — the  general  wants  me  killed.  Die  soon 
enough  in  this  infernal  nest  of  centipedes  without  being  shot 
in  the  chapparal !  I  wish  the  chapparal  was "  and  again 


MAJOR    BLOSSOM.  87 

the  major's  unmentionable  words  came  pouring  forth  in  a 
volley. 

I  saw  that  it  was  useless  to  interrupt  him  until  the  first  burst 
was  over.  From  his  frequent  anathemas  on  the  "  bushes  " 
and  the  "  chapparal,"  I  could  gather  that  the  service  I  was 
called  upon  to  perform  lay  at  some  distance  from  the  camp  ; 
but  beyond  this  I  could  learn  nothing,  until  the  major  had 
sworn  himself  into  a  degree  of  composure,  which  after  some 
minutes  he  accomplished.  I  then  restated  the  object  of  my 
visit. 

"  We're  going  into  the  country  iOi  mules,"  replied  the 
major.  "  Mules,  indeed  !  Heaven  knows  there  isn't  a  mule 
within  ten  miles,  unless  with  a  yellow-hided  Mexican  on  his 
back ;  and  such  mules  we  don't  want.  The  volunteers — 
curse  them  ! — have  scared  everything  to  the  mountains  :  not 
a  stick  of  celery  nor  an  onion  to  be  had  at  any  price." 

"  How  long  do  you  think  we  may  be  gone  ? "     I  inquired. 

"  Long  ?  Only  a  day.  If  I  stay  overnight  in  the  chap 
paral,  may  a  wolf  eat  me  !  Oh  no  ;  if  the  mules  don't  turn 
up  soon,  somebody  else  may  go  fetch  'em — that's  all." 

"  I  may  ration  them  for  one  day  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Two — two  ;  your  fellows  '11  be  hungry.  Roberts,  of  the 
Rifles,  who's  been  out  in  the  country,  tells  me  there  isn't 
enough  forage  to  feed  a  cat.  So  you'd  better  take  two  days' 
biscuit ;  I  suppose  we'll  meet  with  beef  enough  on  the  hoof; 
thougl.  I'd  rather  have  a  rump-steak  out  of  the  Philadelphia 
market  than  all  the  beef  in  Mexico.  Hang  their  beef  !  it's 
as  tough  as  tan  leather  !  " 

"  At  four  o'clock  then,  major,  I'll  be  with  you,"  said  I, 
preparing  to  take  my  leave. 

"  Make  it  a  little  later,  captain  ;  I  get  no  sleep  with  these 
cursed  gallynippers  and  things  ;  but,  stay — how  many  men 
have  you  got  ? " 

"  In  my  company  eighty ;  but  my  order  is  to  take  only 
fifty." 


88  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  There  again  !  I  told  you  so  ;  want  me  killed  -  they  want 
old  Bios  killed.  Fifty  men,  when  a  thousand  of  the  leather- 
skinned  devils  have  been  seen  not  ten  miles  off  !  Fifty  men  ! 
great  heavens !  fifty  men  !  There's  an  escort  to  take  the 
chapparal  with ! " 

"  But  they  are  fifty  men  worth  a  hundred,  I  promise  you." 

"  And  if  they  were  worth  five  hundred,  it  would  be  enough  : 

I  tell  you  the  chapparal's  full — full  as "  (a  certain  place 

of  torment  familiar  to  the  major's  lips). 

"  We  shall  have  to  proceed  with  the  more  caution,"  I  re 
joined. 

"Caution  be !  "  and  caution  was  summarily  sentenced 

to  the  same  regions.  "Bring  all — every  son  of  a  gun  — 
bugler  and  all. " 

"  But  that,  major,  would  be  contrary  to  the  general's 
orders." 

"  Hang  the  general's  orders !  Obey  some  generals' 
orders  in  this  army,  and  you  would  do  queer  things.  Bring 
them  all ;  take  my  advice.  I  tell  you,  if  you  don't  our  lives 
may  answer  for  it.  Fifty  men  !  " 

I  was  about  to  depart  when  the  major  stopped  me  with  a 
loud  "  Hilloa  !  " 

"  Why,"  cried  he,  "  I  have  lost  my  senses.  Your  pardon, 
captain  !  This  unlucky  thing  has  driven  me  crazy.  They 
must  pick  upon  me!  What  will  you  drink?  Here's  some 
good  brandy — infernal  good  ;  sorry  I  can't  say  as  much  for 
the  water." 

I  mixed  a  glass  of  brandy  and  water  ;  the  major  did  the 
same ;  and,  having  pledged  each  other,  we  bade  "  good 
night,"  and  separated. 


A  Fresh  Air  Colony.    Indian  Residence  in  the  Tropics. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

SCOUTING    IN    THE    CHAPPARAL. 

ETWEEN  the  shores  of  the  Mexican 
Gulf  and  the  "  foot  hills  "  (piedmont} 
of  the  great  chain  of  the  Andes,  lies 
a  strip  of  low  lands.  In  many 
places  this  belt  is  nearly  a  hundred 
miles  in  breadth,  but  generally  less 
than  fifty.  It  is  of  a  tropical  character,  termed  in  the  language 
of  the  country  tierra  caliente.  It  is  mostly  covered  with  jungly 
forests,  in  which  are  found  the  palm,  the  tree-ferns,  the  ma 
hogany  and  India-rubber  trees,  dyewoods,  canes,  llianas,  and 
many  other  gigantic  parasites.  In  the  underwood  you  meet 
thorny  aloes,  the  "pita"  plant,  and  wild  mezcal ;  various 
cactacete,  and  flora  of  singular  forms,  scarcely  known  to  the 

89 


QO  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

botanist.  There  are  swamps  dark  and  dank,  overshadowed 
by  the  tall  cypress  with  its  pendent  streamers  of  silvery 
moss  (Tillandsia  usneoides).  From  these  arise  the  miasma— 
the  mother  of  the  dreaded  "  vomito." 

This  unhealthy  region  is  but  thinly  inhabited  ;  but  here 
you  meet  with  people  of  the  African  race,  aud  nowhere  else 
in  Mexico.  In  the  towns — and  there  are  but  few — you  see 
the  yellow  mulatto,  and  the  pretty  quadroon  with  her  black 
waving  hair;  but  in  the  spare  settlements  of  the  country  you 
meet  with  a  strange  race — the  cross  of  the  negro  with  the 
ancient  inhabitants  of  the  country — the  "  zamboes." 

Along  the  coast  and  in  the  black  country,  behind  Vera 
Cruz,  you  will  find  these  people  living  a  half-indolent,  half- 
savage  life,  as  small  cultivators,  cattle-herds,  fishermen,  or 
hunters.  In  riding  through  the  forest  you  may  often  chance 
upon  such  a  picture  as  the  following : 

There  is  an  opening  in  the  woods  that  presents  an  aspect 
of  careless  cultivation — a  mere  patch  cleared  out  of  the  thick 
jungle — upon  which  grow  yams,  the  sweet  potato  (convolvu 
lus  batata),  child,  melons,  and  the  calabash.  On  one  side  of 
the  clearing  there  is  a  hut — a  sort  of  shed.  A  few  upright 
poles  forked  at  their  tops ;  a  few  others  laid  horizontally 
upon  them  ;  a  thatch  of  palm-leaves  to  shadow  the  burning 
rays  of  the  sun — that  is  all. 

In  this  shadow  there  are  human  beings — men,  women, 
children.  They  wear  rude  garments  of  white  cotton  cloth  ; 
but  they  are  half  naked,  and  their  skins  are  dark,  almost 
black.  Their  hair  is  woolly  and  frizzled.  They  are  not  In 
dians,  they  are  not  negroes,  they  are  "  zamboes  " — a  mixture 
of  both.  They  are  coarse-featured,  and  coarsely  clad. 
You  would  find  it  difficult,  at  a  little  distance,  to  distin 
guish  their  sex,  did  you  not  know  that  those  who  swing  in 
the  hammocks  and  recline  indolently  upon  the  palm-mats 
(petatis)  are  the  men,  and  those  who  move  about  and  do  the 
work  are  the  females.  One  of  the  former  occasionally  stim- 


SCOUTING   IN   THE   CHAPPARAL.  QI 

ulates  the  activity  of  the  latter  by  a  stroke  of  the  "  cuarto  " 
(mule-whip). 

A  few  rude  implements  of  furniture  are  in  the  shed :  a 
"  nictate*, "  on  which  the  boiled  maize  is  ground  for  the 
"  tortilla  "  cakes  ;  some  "  ollas  "  of  red  earthenware  ;  dishes 
of  the  calabash ;  a  rude  hatchet  or  two ;  a  "  machete' "  a 
banjo  made  from  the  gourd-shell ;  a  high-peaked  saddle, 
with  bridle  and  "  lazo  "  ;  strings  of  red-pepper  pods  hang 
ing  from  the  horizontal  beams — not  much  more.  A  lank 
dog  on  the  ground  in  front ;  a  lean  "  mustang  "  tied  to  the 
tree ;  a  couple  of  "  burros  "  (donkeys) ;  and  perhaps  a  sorry 
galled  mule  in  an  enclosure  adjoining. 

The  zambo  enjoys  his  dolcefar  niente  while  his  wife  does 
the  work — what  work  there  is,  but  that  is  not  much.  There 
is  an  air  of  neglect  that  impresses  you;  an  air  of  spontaneity 
about  the  picture — for  the  yams  and  the  melons,  and  the 
chile'-plants,  half  choked  with  weeds,  seem  to  grow  without 
culture,  and  the  sun  gives  warmth,  so  as  to  render  almost 
unnecessary  the  operations  of  the  spindle  and  the  loom. 

The  forest  opens  again,  and  another  picture — a  prettier 
one — presents  itself.  It  bears  the  aspect  of  a  better  culti 
vation,  though  still  impressing  you  with  ideas  of  indolence 
and  neglect.  This  picture  is  the  "  rancho,"  the  settlement 
of  the  small  farmer,  or  "  vaguero  "  (cattle-herd).  Its  form 
is  that  of  an  ordinary  house,  with  gables  and  sloping  roof, 
but  its  walls  are  peculiar.  They  are  constructed  of  gigantic 
bamboo  canes,  or  straight  poles  of  the  Fouquiera  spkndens. 
These  are  laced  together  by  cords  of  the  "  pita  "  aloe  ;  but 
the  interstices  between  are  left  open,  so  as  freely  to  admit 
the  breeze.  Coolness,  not  warmth,  is  the  object  of  these 
buildings.  The  roof  is  a  thatch  of  palm  leaves,  and  with 
far-impending  eaves  casts  off  the  heavy  rain  of  the  tropics. 
The  appearance  is  striking — more  picturesque  even  than  the 
chalet  of  Switzerland. 

There  is  but  little  furniture  within.     There  is  no  table1 


92  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

there  are  few  chairs,  and  these  of  raw  hide  nailed  upon  a 
rude  frame.  There  are  bedsteads  of  bamboo  ;  the  universal 
tortilla-stone  ("  metate  ") ;  mats  of  palm-leaf  ;  baskets  of 
the  same  material ;  a  small  altar-like  fireplace  in  the  middle 
of  the  floor ;  a  bandolon  hanging  by  the  wall ;  a  saddle  of 
stamped  leather,  profusely  ornamented  with  silver  nails  and 
plates  ;  a  hair  bridle,  with  huge  Mameluke  bit ;  an  esco- 
pette  and  sword,  or  machete ;  an  endless  variety  of  gaily- 
painted  bowls,  dishes,  and  cups,  but  neither  knife,  fork  nor 
spoon.  Such  are  the  movables  of  a  "rancho"  in  the 
tierra  caliente. 

You  may  see  the  ranchero  by  the  door,  or  attending  to 
his  small,  wiry,  and  spirited  horse,  outside.  The  man  him 
self  is  either  of  Spanish  blood  or  a  "  mestizo."  He  is 
rarely  a  pure  Indian,  who  is  most  commonly  a  peon  or 
laborer,  and  who  can  hardly  be  termed  a  "  ranchero  "  in  its 
proper  sense. 

The  ranchero  is  picturesque — his  costume  exceedingly  so. 
His  complexion  is  swarthy,  his  hair  is  black,  and  his  teeth 
are  ivory  white.  He  is  often  mustached,  but  rarely  takes 
the  trouble  to  trim  or  keep  these  ornaments  in  order.  His 
whisker  is  seldom  bushy  or  luxuriant.  His  trousers  (cal- 
zoneros)  are  of  green  or  dark  velvet,  open  down  the  outside 
seams,  and  at  the  bottoms  overlaid  with  stamped  black 
leather,  to  defend  the  ankles  of  the  wearer  against  the  thorny 
chapparal.  A  row  of  bell  buttons,  often  silver,  close  the 
open  seams  when  the  weather  is  cold.  There  are  wide 
drawers  (calzoncillos)  of  fine  white  cotton  underneath ;  and 
these  puff  out  through  the  seams,  forming  a  tasty  contrast 
with  the  dark  velvet.  A  silken  sash,  generally  of  scarlet 
color,  encircles  the  waist ;  and  its  fringed  ends  hang  over 
the  hips.  The  hunting-knife  is  stuck  under  it.  There  is  a 
short  jacket  of  velveteen,  tastefully  embroidered  and  but 
toned  ;  a  white  cambric  shirt,  elaborately  worked  and 
plaited ;  and  over  all  a  heavy  broad-brimmed  hat  (som- 


SCOUTING   IN   THE   CHAPPARAL. 


93 


brero),  with  silver  or  gold  band,  and  tags  of  the  same  ma* 
terial  sticking  out  from  the  sides.  He  wears  boots  of  red 
leather,  and  huge  spurs  with  bell  rowels  ;  and  he  is  neveC 
seen  without  the  "scrape."  The  last  is  his  bed,  his 
blanket,  his  cloak,  and  his  umbrella. 


Mexican  Rancheros. 

His  wife  may  be  seen  moving  about  the  rancho,  or  upon 
her  knees  before  the  metate  kneading  tortillas,  and  besmear 
ing  them  with  "  chile  Colorado "  (red  capsicum).  She 
wears  a  petticoat  or  skirt  of  a  flaming  bright  color,  very 
short,  showing  her  well-turned  but  stockingless  ankles,  with 
her  small  slippered  feet.  Her  arms,  neck,  and  part  of  her 


94  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

bosom  are  nude,  but  half  concealed  by  the  bluish-gray  scarf 
(rebozo)  that  hangs  loosely  over  her  head. 

The  ranchero  leads  a  free,  easy  life,  burthened  with  few 
cares.  He  is  the  finest  rider  in  the  world,  following  his 
cattle  on  horseback,  and  never  makes  even  the  shortest 
journey  on  foot.  He  plays  upon  the  bandolon,  sings  an 
Andalusian  ditty,  and  is  fond  of  chingarito  (mezcal  whisky) 
and  the  "  fandango." 

Such  is  the  ranchero  of  the  tierra  caliente  around  Vera 
Cruz,  and  such  is  he  in  all  other  parts  of  Mexico,  from  its 
northern  limits  to  the  Isthmus. 

But  in  the  tierra  caliente  you  may  also  see  the  rich  planter 
of  cotton,  or  sugar-cane,  or  cocoa  (cacao),  or  the  vanilla 
bean.  His  home  is  the  "  hacienda."  This  is  a  still  livelier 
picture.  There  are  many  fields  enclosed  and  tilled.  They 
are  irrigated  by  the  water  from  a  small  stream.  Upon  its 
banks  there  are  cocoa-trees  ;  and  out  of  the  rich  moist  soil 
shoot  up  rows  of  the  majestic  plantain,  whose  immense 
yellow-green  leaves,  sheathing  the  stem  and  then  drooping 
gracefully  over,  render  it  one  of  the  most  ornamental  pro 
ductions  of  the  tropics,  as  its  clustering  legumes  of  fari 
naceous  fruit  make  it  one  of  the  most  useful.  Low  walls, 
white  or  gaily  painted,  appear  over  the  fields,  and  a  hand 
some  spire  rises  above  the  walls.  That  is  the  "  hacienda  " 
of  the  planter — the  "  rico  "  of  the  tierra  caliente,  with  its  out 
buildings  and  chapel  belfry.  You  approach  it  through 
scenes  of  cultivation.  "  Peons,"  clad  in  white  cotton  and 
reddish  leathern  garments,  are  busy  in  the  fields.  Upon 
their  heads  are  broad-brimmed  hats,  woven  from  the  leaf  of 
the  sombrero  palm.  Their  legs  are  naked,  and  upon  their 
feet  are  tied  rude  sandals  (guarach'es)  with  leathern  thongs. 
Their  skins  are  dark,  though  not  black  ;  their  eyes  are  wild 
and  sparkling  ;  their  looks  grave  and  solemn  ;  their  hair 
coarse,  long,  and  crow-black ;  and,  as  they  walk,  their  toes 
turn  inward.  Their  downcast  looks,  their  attitudes  and 


SCOUTING    IN    THE    CHAPPARAL. 


95 


demeanor,  impress  you  with  the  conviction  that  they  are 
those  who  carry  the  water  and  hew  the  wood  of  the 
country.  It  is  so.  They  are  the  "  Indies  mansos "  (the 
civilized  Indians)  :  slaves,  in  fact,  though  freemen  by  the 
letter  of  the  law.  They  are  the  "  peons,"  the  laborers,  the 
serfs  of  the  land — the  descendants  of  the  conquered  sons  of 
Anahuac. 


Scene  in  Tropical  America  ;  Indian  Thatch  House,  Voyageur. 

Such  are  the  people  you  find  in  the  tierra  caliente  of 
Mexico — in  the  environs  of  Vera  Cruz.  They  do  not  differ 
much  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  high  plains,  either  in  cos 
tume,  customs,  or  otherwise.  In  fact,  there  is  a  homoge- 
neousness  about  the  inhabitants  of  all  Spanish  America — 
making  allowance  for  difference  of  climate  and  other  pecu 
liarities — rarely  found  in  any  other  people. 


96  THE    RIFLE  RANGERS. 

******* 

Before  daybreak  of  the  morning  after  my  interview  with 
the  "swearing  major,"  a  head  appeared  between  the  flaps 
of  my  tent.  It  was  that  of  Sergeant  Bob  Lincoln. 

"The  men  air  under  arms,  cap'n." 

"Very  well,"  cried  I,  leaping  from  my  bed,  and  hastily 
buckling  on  my  accouterments. 

I  looked  forth.  The  moon  was  still  brightly  shining,  and 
I  could  see  a  number  of  uniformed  men  standing  upon  the 
company  parade,  in  double  rank.  Directly  in  front  of  my 
tent  a  small  boy  was  saddling  a  very  small  horse.  The  boy 
was  "  Little  Jack,"  as  the  soldiers  called  him  ;  and  the  horse 
was  little  Jack's  mustang,  "  Twidget." 

Jack  wore  a  tight-fitting  green  jacket,  trimmed  with  yellow 
lace,  and  buttoned  up  to  the  throat;  pantaloons  of  light 
green,  straight  cut  and  striped  along  the  seams  ;  a  forage 
cap  set  jauntily  upon  a  profusion  of  bright  curls  ;  a  saber 
with  a  blade  of  eighteen  inches,  and  a  pair  of  clinking 
Mexican  spurs.  Besides  these,  he  carried  the  smallest  of 
all  rifles.  Thus  armed  and  accoutered,  he  presented  the 
appearance  of  a  miniature  Ranger. 

Twidget  had  his  peculiarities.  He  was  a  tight,  wiry  little 
animal,  that  could  live  upon  mezquite  beans  or  maguey 
leaves  for  an  indefinite  time ;  and  his  abstemiousness  was 
often  put  to  the  test.  Afterwards,  upon  an  occasion  during 
the  battles  in  the  valley  of  Mexico,  Jack  and  Twidget  had 
somehow  got  separated,  at  which  time  the  mustang  had 
been  shut  up  for  four  days  in  the  cellar  of  a  ruined  convent 
with  no  other  food  than  stones  and  mortar  !  How  Twidget 
came  by  his  name  is  not  clear.  Perhaps  it  was  some  waif 
of  the  rider's  own  fancy. 

As  I  appeared  at  the  entrance  of  my  tent,  Jack  had  just 
finished  strapping  on  his  Mexican  saddle ;  and  seeing  me, 
up  he  ran  to  assist  in  serving  my  breakfast.  This  was 
\iastilydespatched,  and  our  party  took  the  route  in  silence 


SCOUTING   IN   THE   CHAPPARAL.  97 

through  the  sleeping  camp.  Shortly  after  we  were  joined 
by  the  major,  mounted  on  a  tall,  raw-boned  horse ;  while  a 
darkie,  whom  the  major  addressed  as  "  Doc,"  rode  a  snug 
stout  cob,  and  carried  a  large  basket.  This  last  contained 
the  major's  commissariat. 

We  were  soon  traveling  along  the  Orizava  road,  the 
major  and  Jack  riding  in  advance.  I  could  not  help  smiling 
at  the  contrast  between  these  two  equestrians ;  the  former 
with  his  great  gaunt  horse,  looming  up  in  the  uncertain 
light  of  the  morning  like  some  huge  centaur  ;  while  Jack  and 
Twidget  appeared  the  two  representatives  of  the  kingdom  of 
Lilliput. 

On  turning  an  angle  of  the  forest,  a  horseman  appeared 
at  some  distance  along  the  road.  The  major  gradually 
slackened  his  pace,  until  he  was  square  with  the  head  of  the 
column,  and  then  fell  back  into  the  rear.  This  maneuver 
was  executed  in  the  most  natural  manner,  but  I  could  plainly 
see  that  the  mounted  Mexican  had  caused  the  major  no 
small  degree  of  alarm. 

The  horseman  proved  to  be  a  zambo,  in  pursuit  of  cattle 
that  had  escaped  from  a  neighboring  corral.  I  put  some 
inquiries  to  him  in  relation  to  the  object  of  our  expedition. 
The  zambo  pointed  to  the  south,  saying  in  Spanish  that 
mules  were  plenty  in  that  direction. 

'''•Hay  muchos  muchissimos  "  (There  are  many),  said  he,  as  he 
indicated  a  road  which  led  through  a  strip  of  forest  on  our  left- 
Following  his  direction,  we  struck  into  the  new  path,  which 
soon  narrowed  into  a  bridle-road  or  trail.  The  men  were 
thrown  into  single  file,  and  marched  a  VIndienne.  The  road 
darkened,  passing  under  thick-leaved  trees,  that  met  and 
twined  over  our  heads. 

At  times  the  hanging  limbs  and  joined  parasites  caused 
the  major  to  flatten  his  huge  body  upon  the   horn  of  the 
saddle  ;  and  once  or  twice  he  was  obliged  to  alight,  and  walk 
under  the  impeding  branches  of  the  thorny  acacias. 
7 


98  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

Our  journey  continued  without  noise,  silence  being  in 
terrupted  only  by  an  occasional  oath  from  the  major — uttered, 
however,  in  a  low  tone,  as  we  were  now  fairly  "  in  the  woods." 
The  road  at  length  opened  upon  a  small  prairie  or  glade,  near 
the  borders  of  which  rose  a  "  butte,"  covered  with  chapparal. 

Leaving  the  party  in  ambuscade  below,  I  ascended  the 
butte,  to  obtain  a  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  day 
had  now  fairly  broken,  and  the  sun  was  just  rising  over  the 
blue  waters  of  the  Gulf. 

His  rays,  prinkling  over  the  waves,  caused  them  to  dance 
and  sparkle  with  a  metallic  brightness  ;  and  it  was  only 
after  shading  my  eyes  that  I  could  distinguish  the  tall  masses 
of  ships  and  the  burnished  towers  of  the  city. 

To  the  south  and  west  stretched  a  wide  expanse  of  cham 
paign  country,  glowing  in  all  the  brilliance  of  tropical  veg 
etation.  Fields  of  green,  and  forests  of  darker  green  ;  here 
and  there  patches  of  yellow,  and  belts  of  olive-colored  leaves ; 
at  intervals  a  sheet  of  silver — the  reflection  from  a  placid  lake, 
or  the  bend  of  some  silent  stream — was  visible  upon  the  im 
posing  picture  at  my  feet. 

A  broad  belt  of  forest  dotted  with  the  life-like  frondage 
of  the  palm,  swept  up  to  the  foot  of  the  hill.  Beyond  this 
an  open  tract  of  meadow,  or  prairie,  upon  which  were  brows 
ing  thousands  of  cattle.  The  distance  was  too  great  to  dis 
tinguish  their  species  ;  but  the  slender  forms  of  some  of  them 
convinced  me  that  the  object  of  our  search  would  be  found 
in  that  direction. 

The  meadow,  then,  was  the  point  to  be  reached. 

The  belt  of  forest  already  mentioned  must  be  crossed  ;  and 
to  effect  this  I  struck  into  a  trail  that  seemed  to  lead  in  the 
direction  of  the  meadow. 

The  trail  became  lighter  as  we  entered  the  heavy  timber. 
Some  distance  farther  on  we  reached  a  stream.  Here  the 
trail  entirely  disappeared.  No  "  signs  "  could  be  found  on 
the  opposite  bank.  The  underwood  was  thick ;  and  vines, 


SCOUTING   IN   THE   CHAPPARAL.  QQ 

with  broad  green  leaves  and  huge  clusters  of  scarlet  flowers, 
barred  up  the  path  like  a  wall. 

It  was  strange  !  The  path  had  evidently  led  to  this  point, 
but  where  beyond  ? 

Several  men  were  detached  across  the  stream  to  find  an 
opening.  After  a  search  of  some  minutes  a  short  exclamation 
from  Lincoln  proclaimed  success ;  I  crossed  over,  and 
found  the  hunter  standing  near  the  bank,  holding  back  a 
screen  of  boughs  and  vine-leaves,  beyond  which  a  narrow 
but  plain  track  was  easily  distinguished,  leading  on  into  the 
forest.  The  trellis  closed  like  a  gate,  and  it  seemed  as  if  art 
had  lent  a  hand  to  the  concealment  of  the  track.  The  foot 
prints  of  several  horses  were  plainly  visible  in  the  sandy 
bottom  of  the  road. 

The  men  entered  in  single  file.  With  some  difficulty  Major 
Blossom  and  his  great  horse  squeezed  themselves  through, 
and  we  moved  along  under  the  shady  and  silent  woods. 

After  a  march  of  several  miles,  fording  numerous  streams, 
and  working  our  way  through  tangled  thickets  of  nopal  and 
wild  maguey,  an  opening  suddenly  appeared  through  the 
trees.  Emerging  from  the  forest,  a  brilliant  scene  burst 
upon  us.  A  large  clearing,  evidently  once  cultivated,  but 
now  in  a  state  of  neglect,  stretched  out  before  us.  Broad 
fields,  covered  with  flowers  of  every  hue — thickets  of  bloom 
ing  rose-trees — belts  of  the  yellow  helianthus — and  groups 
of  cocoa-trees  and  half-wild  plantains,  formed  a  picture 
singular  and  beautiful. 

On  one  side,  and  close  to  the  border  of  the  forest,  could 
be  seen  the  roof  of  a  house,  peering  above  groves  of  glisten 
ing  foliage,  and  thither  we  marched. 

We  entered  a  lane,  with  its  guardarayas  of  orange-trees 
planted  in  rows  upon  each  side,  and  meeting  overhead. 

The  sunlight  fell  through  this  leafy  screen  with  a  mellowed 
and  delicious  softness,  and  the  perfume  of  flowers  was 
wafted  on  the  air. 


100 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


The  rich  music  of  birds  was  around  us;  and  the  loveliness 
©f  the  scene  was  heightened  by  the  wild  neglect  which 
characterized  it. 

On  approaching  the  house  we  halted  ;  and  after  charging 
the  men  to  remain  silent,  I  advanced  alone  to  reconnoiter. 


A  Young  Cayman. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

DVENTUARE    WITH   A    CAYMAN. 

HE  lane  suddenly  opened  upon  a  pas 
ture,  but  within  this  a  thick  hedge  of 
jessamines,  forming  a  circle,  barred 
the  view. 

In  this  circle  was  the  house,  whose 
roof  only  could  be  seen  from  without. 

Not  finding  any  opening  through  the  jessamines,  I  parted 
the  leaves  with  my  hands,  and  looked  through.  The  picture 
was  dream-like  ;  so  strange,  I  could  scarcely  credit  my 
senses. 

On  the  crest  of  the  little  hillock  stood  a  house  of  rare 
construction — unique  and  unlike  anything  I  had  ever  seen. 
The  sides  were  formed  of  bamboos,  closely  picketed,  and 
laced  together  by  fibers  of  the  pita.  The  roof — a  thatch  of 
palm-leaves — projected  far  over  the  eaves,  rising  to  a  cone, 
and  terminating  in  a  small  wooden  cupola  with  a  cross. 
There  were  no  windows.  The  walls  themselves  were  trans 
lucent  ;  and  articles  of  furniture  could  be  distinguished 
through  the  insterstices  of  the  bamboos. 

A  curtain  of  green  barege,  supported  by  a  rod  and  rings, 
formed  the  door.  This  was  drawn,  discovering  an  ottoman 
near  the  entrance,  and  an  elegant  harp. 


102 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


The  whole  structure  presented  the  coup-d'ceil  of  a  huge 
bird-cage,  with  its  wires  of  gold  ! 

The  grounds  were  in  keeping  with  the  house.  In  these 
the  evidence  of  neglect,  which  had  been  noticed  without 
existed  no  longer.  Every  object  appeared  to  be  under  the 
training  of  a  watchful  solicitude. 

A  thick  grove  of  olives,  with  their  gnarled  and  spreading 
branches  and  dark  green  leaves,  stretched  rearward,  forming 
a  background  to  the  picture.  Right  and  left  grew  clumps  of 


Mammoth  Water  Lilies  of  Tropical  America. 

orange  and  lime  trees.  Golden  fruit  and  flowers  of  brilliant 
hues  mingled  with  their  yellow  leaves  :  spring  and  autumn 
blended  upon  the  same  branches  ! 

Rare  shrubs  —  exotics  —  grew  out  of  large  vessels  of  ja 
panned  earthenware,  whose  brilliant  tints  added  to  the  volup 
tuous  coloring  of  the  scene. 

A.  jet  (Teau>  crystalline,  rose  to  the  height  of  twenty  feet, 
and,  returning  in  a  shower  of  prismatic  globules,  stole  away 
through  abed  of  water-lilies  and  other  aquatic  plants,  losing 
itself  in  a  grove  of  lofty  plantain-trees.  These,  growing 


ADVENTURE   WITH   A   CAYMAN.  103 

from  the  cool  watery  bed,  flung  out  their  broad  glistening 
leaves  to  the  length  of  twenty  feet. 

No  signs  of  human  life  met  the  eye.  The  birds  alone 
seemed  to  revel  in  the  luxuriance  of  this  tropical  paradise. 
A  brace  of  pea-fowl  stalked  over  the  parterre  in  all  the  pride 
of  their  rainbow  plumage.  In  the  fountain  appeared  the  tall 
form  of  a  flamingo,  his  scarlet  color  contrasting  with  the 
green  leaves  of  the  water-lily.  Songsters  were  trilling  in 
every  tree.  The  mock-bird,  perched  upon  the  highest  limb, 
•was  mimicking  the  monotonous  tones  of  the  parrot.  The 
toucans  and  trogons  flashed  from  grove  to  grove,  or  balanced 
their  bodies  under  the  spray  of  the  jet  d'eau  ;  while  the  hum 
ming-birds  hung  upon  the  leaves  of  some  honeyed  blossom, 
or  prinkled  over  the  parterre  like  straying  sunbeams. 

I  was  running  my  eye  over  this  dreamlike  picture,  in  search 
of  a  human  figure,  when  the  soft,  metallic  accents  of  a  female 
voice  reached  me  from  the  grove  of  plantains.  It  was  a 
burst  of  laughter — clear  and  ringing.  Then  followed  an 
other,  with  short  exclamations,  and  the  sound  of  water  as  if 
dashed  and  sprinkled  with  a  light  hand. 

What  must  be  the  Eve  of  a  paradise  like  this  !  The  silver 
tones  were  full  of  promise.  It  was  the  first  female  voice  that 
had  greeted  my  ears  for  a  month,  and  chords  long  slumber 
ing  vibrated  under  the  exquisite  touch. 

My  heart  bounded.  My  first  impulse  was  "  forward  !  " 
which  I  obeyed  by  springing  through  the  jessamines.  But 
the  fear  of  intruding  upon  a  scene  d  la  Diane  changed  my  de 
termination,  and  my  next  thought  was  to  make  a  quiet  retreat. 

I  was  preparing  to  return,  and  had  thrust  one  leg  back 
through  the  hedge,  when  a  harsh  voice — apparently  that  of 
a  man — mingled  with  the  silvery  tones. 

"  Anda  ! — anda  ! — hace  mucho  calor.  Vamos  a  volver" 
(Hasten  ! — it  is  hot.  Let  us  return.) 

"  Ah  n0,  Pepe !  un  ratito  mas"  (Ah,  no,  Pepe  !  a  little 
while  longer.) 


104  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Vaya,  carrambo  !  "  (Quick,  then  I) 

Again  the  clear  laughter  rang  out,  mingled  with  the  clap 
ping  of  hands  and  short  exclamations  of  delight. 

"  Come,  "  thought  I,  once  more  entering  the  parterre,  "  as 
there  appears  to  be  one  of  my  own  sex  here  already,  it  can 
not  be  very  mal  a  propos  to  take  a  peep  at  this  amusement 
whatever  it  be." 

I  approached  the  row  of  plantain-trees,  whose  leaves 
screened  the  speakers  from  view. 

"Lupe!  Lupelmiral  quebonito!"  (Lupe  !  Lupe!  Look 
here  !  What  a  pretty  thing  !) 

"Ah,  pobrerito !  echalo,  Luz,  echalo"  (Ah!  poor  little 
thing  !  fling  it  back,  Luz.) 

"  Voy  luego"      (Presently.) 

I  stooped  down,  and  silently  parted  the  broad  silken  leaves. 
The  sight  was  divine  ! 

Within  lay  a  circular  tank,  or  basin,  of  crystal  water,  sev 
eral  rods  in  diameter,  and  walled  in  on  all  sides  by  the  high 
screen  of  glossy  plantains,  whose  giant  leaves,  stretching  out 
horizontally,  sheltered  it  from  the  rays  of  the  sun. 

A  low  parapet  of  mason-work  ran  around,  forming  the 
circumference  of  the  circle.  This  was  japanned  with  a  spe 
cies  of  porcelain,  whose  deep  coloring  of  blue,  and  green 
and  yellow,  was  displayed  in  a  variety  of  grotesque  figures. 

A  strong  jet  boiled  up  in  the  center,  by  the  refraction  of 
whose  ripples  the  gold  and  red  fish  seemed  multiplied  into 
myriads. 

At  a  distant  point  a  bed  of  water-lilies  hung  out  from  the 
parapet  ;  and  the  long,  thin  neck  of  a  swan  rose  gracefully 
over  the  leaves.  Another,  his  mate,  stood  upon  the  bank, 
drying  her  snowy  pinions  in  the  sun. 

A  different  object  attracted  me,  depriving  me  for  awhile  of 
the  power  of  action. 

In  the  water,  and  near  the  jet,  were  two  beautiful  girls, 
clothed  in  a  sort  of  sleeveless  green  tunic,  loosely  girdled 


ADVENTURE    WITH    A    CAYMAN. 


105 


They  were  immersed  to  the  waist.  So  pellucid  was  the 
water  that  their  little  feet  were  distinctly  visible  at  the  bot 
tom,  shining  like  gold. 

Luxuriant  hair  fell  down  in  broad  flakes,  partially  shroud 
ing   the  snowy  development  of  their  arms  and  shoulders. 


House  Built  of  Bamboos. 

Their  forms  were  strikingly  similar — tall,  graceful,  fully  de 
veloped,  and  characterized  by  that  eliptical  line  of  beauty 
that,  in  the  female  form  more  than  in  any  other  earthly 
object,  illustrates  the  far-famed  curve  of  Hogarth. 

Their  features,  too,  were  alike.  "  Sisters  !  "  one  would  ex 
claim,  and  yet  their  complexions  were  strikingly  dissimilar. 
The  blood,  mantling  darker  in  the  veins  of  one,  lent  an  olive 


106  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

tinge  to  the  soft  and  wax-like  surface  of  her  .skin,  while  the 
red  upon  her  cheeks  and  lips  presented  an  admixture  of 
purple.  Her  hair,  too,  was  black  ;  and  a  dark  shading 
along  the  upper  lip — a  mustache,  in  fact — soft  and  silky 
as  the  tracery  of  a  crayon,  contrasted  with  the  dazzling  white 
ness  of  her  teeth.  Her  eyes  were  black,  large,  and  almond- 
shaped — with  that  expression  which  looks  over  one  ;  and  her 
whole  appearance  formed  a  type  of  that  beauty  which  we  as 
sociate  with  the  Abencerrage  and  the  Alhambra.  This  was 
evidently  the  elder. 

The  other  was  the  type  of  a  distinct  class  of  beauty — the 
golden-haired  blonde.  Her  eyes  were  large,  globular,  and 
blue  as  turquoise.  Her  hair  of  a  chastened  yellow,  long  and 
luxuriant  ;  while  her  skin,  less  soft  and  waxen  than  that  of  her 
sister,  presented  an  effusion  of  roseate  blushes  that  extended 
along  the  snowy  whiteness  of  her  arms.  These,  in  the  sun, 
appeared  as  bloodless  and  transparent  as  the  tiny  gold-fish 
that  quivered  in  her  uplifted  hand. 

I  was  riveted  to  the  spot.  My  first  impulse  was  to  retire, 
silently  and  modestly,  but  the  power  of  a  strange  fascination 
for  a  moment  prevented  me.  Was  it  a  dream  ? 

"Ah!  que  barbara!  pobretito — ito — ito!"  (Ah!  what  a 
barbarian  you  are  !  poor  little  thing  !) 

"  Comeremos."     (We  shall  eat  it.) 

"  For  Dios  I  no  !  echalo,  Luz,  6  tirare  la  agua  en  sus  ojos. " 
(Goodness  !  no  !  fling  it  in,  Luz,  or  I  shall  throw  water  in  your 
eyes.)  And  the  speaker  stooped  as  if  to  execute  the  threat. 

"  Ya — no  "  (Now  I  shall  not),  said  Luz,  resolutely. 

"  Guarda  tel  "     (Look  out,  then  !) 

The  brunette  placed  her  little  hands  close  together,  form 
ing  with  their  united  palm.s  a  concave  surface,  and  com 
menced  dashing  water  upon  the  perverse  blonde. 

The  latter  instantly  dropped  the  gold-fish,  and  retaliated. 

An  exciting  and  animated  contest  ensued.  The  bright 
globulets  flew  around  their  heads,  and  rolled  down  their 


ADVENTURE  WITH  A  CAYMAN.      IO7 

glittering  tresses,  as  from  the  pinions  of  a  swan  ;  while  their 
clear  laughter  rang  out  at  intervals,  as  one  or  the  other  ap 
peared  victorious. 

A  hoarse  voice  drew  my  attention  from  this  interesting 
spectacle.  Looking  whence  it  came,  my  eye  rested  upon  a 
huge  negress,  stretched  under  a  cocoa-tree,  who  had  raised 
herself  on  one  arm,  and  was  laughing  at  the  contest. 

It  was  her  voice,  then,  I  had  mistaken  for  that  of  a  man  ! 

Becoming  sensible  of  my  intrusive  position,  I  turned  to  re 
treat,  when  a  shrill  cry  reached  me  from  the  pond. 

The  swans,  with  a  frightened  energy,  shrieked  and  flapped 
over  the  surface — the  gold-fish  shot  to  and  fro,  like  sunbeams, 
and  leaped  out  of  the  water,  quivering  and  terrified — and 
the  birds  on  all  sides  screamed  and  chattered. 

I  sprang  forward  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  this  strange 
commotion.  My  eye  fell  upon  the  negress,  who  had  risen, 
and,  running  out  upon  the  parapet  with  uplifted  arms, 
shouted  in  terrified  accents  : 

"  Valgame  Dios  ninas  !    El  cayman  !  el  cayman  I  " 

I  looked  across  to  the  other  side  of  the  pond.  A  fear 
ful  object  met  my  eyes — the  cayman  of  Mexico  !  The  hide 
ous  monster  was  slowly  crawling  over  the  low  wall,  dragging 
his  lengthened  body  from  a  bed  of  aquatic  plants. 

Already  his  short  fore-arms,  squamy  and  corrugated,  rested 
upon  the  inner  edge  of  the  parapet — his  shoulders  project 
ing  as  if  in  the  act  to  spring !  His  scale-covered  back,  with 
its  long  serrated  ridge,  glittered  with  a  slippery  moistness  ; 
and  his  eyes,  usually  dull,  gleamed  fierce  and  lurid  from  their 
prominent  sockets. 

I  had  brought  with  me  a  light  rifle.  It  was  but  the  work 
of  a  moment  to  unsling  and  level  it.  The  sharp  crack  fol 
lowed,  and  the  ball  impinged  between  the  monster's  eyes, 
glancing  harmlessly  from  his  hard  skull,  as  though  it  had 
been  a  plate  of  steel.  The  shot  was  an  idle  one — perhaps 
worse  ;  for,  stung  to  madness  with  the  stunning  shock  the 


108  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

reptile  sprang  far  out  into  the  water,  and  made  directly  foi 
its  victims. 

The  girls,  who  had  long  since  given  over  their  mirthful 
contest,  seemed  to  have  lost  all  presence  of  mind  ;  and,  in 
stead  of  making  for  the  bank,  stood  locked  in  each  other's 
arms,  terrified  and  trembling. 

Their  symmetrical  forms  fell  into  an  agonized  embrace  ; 
and  their  rounded  arms,  olive  and  roseate,  laced  each  other, 
and  twined  across  their  quivering  bodies. 

Their  faces  were  turned  to  heaven,  as  though  they  expected 
succor  from  above— a  group  that  rivaled  the  Laocoon. 

With  a  spring  I  cleared  the  parapet  and  drawing  my 
sword,  dashed  madly  across  the  basin. 

The  girls  were  near  the  center  ;  but  the  cayman  had  got 
the  start  of  me,  and  the  water,  three  feet  deep,  impeded  my 
progress.  The  bottom  of  the  tank,  too,  was  slippery,  and  I 
fell  once  or  twice  on  my  hands.  I  rose  again,  and  with 
frantic  energy  plunged  forward,  all  the  while  calling  upon 
the  bathers  to  make  for  the  parapet. 

Notwithstanding  my  shouts,  the  terrified  girls  made  no 
effort  to  save  themselves.  They  were  incapable  from  terror. 

On  came  the  cayman  with  the  velocity  of  vengeance.  It 
was  a  fearful  moment.  Already  he  swam  at  a  distance  of 
less  than  six  paces  from  his  prey,  his  long  snout  projecting 
from  the  water,  his  gaunt  jaws  displaying  their  quadruple 
rows  of  sharp  glistening  teeth. 

I  shouted  despairingly.  I  was  baffled  by  the  deep  water. 
I  had  nearly  twice  the  distance  before  I  could  interpose 
myself  between  the  monster  and  its  victims. 

"  I  shall  be  too  late  !  " 

Suddenly  I  saw  that  the  cayman  had  swerved.  In  his 
eagerness  he  had  struck  a  subaqueous  pipe  of  the  jet. 

It  delayed  him  only  a  moment ;  but  in  that  moment  I  had 
passed  the  statue-like  group,  and  stood  ready  to  receive  his 
attack. 


ADVENTURE  WITH  A  CAYMAN.      IO9 

"  A  la  orilla  !  d  la  orilla  /  "  (To  the  bank  !  to  the  bank !) 
I  shouted,  pushing  the  terrified  girls  with  one  hand,  while 
with  the  other  I  held  my  sword  at  arm's  length  in  the  face 
of  the  advancing  reptile. 

The  girls  now,  for  the  first  time  awaking  from  their 
lethargy  of  terror,  rushed  towards  the  bank. 

On  came  the  monster,  gnashing  his  teeth  in  the  fury  of 
disappointment,  and  uttering  fearful  cries. 

As  soon  as  he  had  got  within  reach  I  aimed  a  blow  at  his 
head ;  but  the  light  saber  glinted  from  the  fleshless  skull 
with  the  ringing  of  steel  to  steel. 

The  blow,  however,  turned  him  out  of  his  course,  and, 
missing  his  aim,  he  passed  me  like  an  arrow.  I  looked  around 
with  a  feeling  of  despair.  "  Thank  heaven  !  they  are  safe  !  " 

I  felt  the  clammy  scales  rub  against  my  thigh  ;  and  I 
leaped  aside  to  avoid  the  stroke  of  his  tail,  as  it  lashed  the 
water  into  foam. 

Again  the  monster  turned,  and  came  on  as  before. 

This  time  I  did  not  attempt  to  cut,  but  thrust  the  sabre 
directly  for  his  throat.  The  cold  blade  snapped  between 
his  teeth  like  an  icicle.  Not  above  twelve  inches  remained 
with  the  hilt ;  and  with  this  I  hacked  and  fought  with  the 
energy  of  despair. 

My  situation  had  now  grown  critical  indeed.  The  girls 
had  reached  the  bank,  and  stood  screaming  upon  the  parapet. 

At  length  the  elder  seized  upon  a  pole,  and,  lifting  it 
with  all  her  might,  leaped  back  into  the  basin,  and  was 
hastening  to  my  rescue,  when  a  stream  of  fire  was  poured 
through  the  leaves  of  the  plantains  :  I  heard  a  sharp  crack — 
the  short  humming  whiz  of  a  bullet — and  a  large  form, 
followed  by  half  a  dozen  others,  emerged  from  the  grove, 
and,  rushing  over  the  wall,  plunged  into  the  pond. 

I  heard  a  loud  plashing  in  the  water — the  shouts  of  men, 
the  clashing  of  bayonets ;  and  then  saw  the  reptile  roll  over, 
pierced  by  a  dozen  wounds, 


Spearing  a  Sea-cow,  or  Manatee. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

DON   COSM&    ROSALES. 

UR   safe,  cap'n  ! "     It  was   Lin- 
coin's  voice.     Around  me  stood  a 
dozen  of   the    men,  up   to   their 
waists.     Little  Jack,  too  (his  head 
and    forage-cap    just     appearing 
above  the  surface  of  the  water), 
stood  with  his  eighteen  inches  of 
steel  buried  in  the  carcass  of  the 
dead  reptile.     I  could   not   help 
smiling  at  the  ludicrous  picture. 
"  Yes,  safe,"  answered  I,  panting  for  breath  ;  "  safe — you 
came  in  good  time,  though." 

"  We  heern  yur  shot,  cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  "  an*  we  guessed 
yur  didn't  shoot  without  somethin'  ter  shoot  for ;  so  I  tuk 
half  a  dozen  files  and  kim  up." 

"  You  acted  right,  sergeant ;  but  where  are  the " 

I  was  looking  towards  the  edge  of  the  tank  where  I  had 
last  seen  the  girls.  They  had  disappeared. 

"  If  yez  mane  the  faymales,"  answered   Chane,  "  they're 
vamosed  through  the  threes.     Be   Saint  Patrick !  the  black 
one's  a  thrump  anyhow  !     She  looks  for  all  the  world  like 
them  bewtiful  crayoles  of  Dimmerary." 
ISO 


DON    COSME    ROSALES.  HI 

Saying  this,  he  turned  suddenly  round,  and  commenced 
driving  his  bayonet  furiously  into  the  dead  cayman,  exclaim 
ing  between  the  thrusts  : 

'*  Och,  ye  divil  !  bad  luck  to  yer  ugly  carcass !  You're  a 
nate-looking  baste  to  interfere  with  a  pair  of  illigant  cray- 
thers  !  Be  the  crass  !  he's  all  shill,  boys.  Och,  mother  o' 
Moses !  I  can't  find  a  saft  spot  in  him  ! " 

We  climbed  out  upon  the  parapet,  and  the  soldiers  com 
menced  wiping  their  wet  guns. 

Clayley  appeared  at  this  moment,  filing  round  the  pond 
at  the  head  of  the  detachment.  As  I  explained  the  adven 
ture  to  the  lieutenant,  he  laughed  heartily. 

"  By  Jove !  it  will  never  do  for  a  despatch,"  said  ht ;  "  one 
killed  on  the  side  of  the  enemy,  and  on  ours  not  a  wound. 
There  is  one,  however,  who  may  be  reported  'badly 
scared. ' " 

"Who?"  I  asked. 

"  Why,  who  but  the  bold  Blossom  ?  " 

"  But  where  is  he  ?  " 

"  Heaven  only  knows  !  The  last  I  saw  of  him,  he  was 
screening  himself  behind  an  old  ruin.  I  wouldn't  think  it 
strange  if  he  was  off  to  camp — that  is,  if  he  believes  he  can 
find  his  way  back  again." 

As  Clayley  said  this,  he  burst  into  a  loud  yell  of  laughter. 

It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  restrain  myself ;  for,  looking 
in  the  direction  indicated  by  the  lieutenant,  I  saw  a  bright 
object,  which  I  at  once  recognized  as  the  major's  face. 

He  had  drawn  aside  the  broad  plantain-leaves,  and  was 
peering  cautiously  through,  with  a  look  of  the  most  ludicrous 
terror.  His  face  only  was  visible,  round  and  luminous,  like 
the  full  moon ;  and  like  her,  too  variegated  with  light  and 
shade,  for  fear  had  produced  spots  of  white  and  purple  over 
the  surface  of  his  capacious  cheeks. 

As  soon  as  the  major  saw  how  the  "  land  lay,"  he  came 
blowing  and  blustering  through  the  bushes  like  an  elephant ; 


112  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

and  it  now  became  apparent  that  he  carried  his  long  sabd 
drawn  and  flourishing. 

"  Bad  luck,  after  all !  "  said  he,  as  he  marched  round  the 
pond  with  a  bold  stride.  "  That's  all  —  is  it  ?  "  he  continued, 
pointing  to  the  dead  cayman.  "  Bah  !  I  was  in  hopes  we'd 
have  a  brush  with  the  yellow-skins." 

"  No,  major,"  said  I,  trying  to  look  serious ;  "  we  are  not 
so  fortunate." 

"  I  have  no  doubt,  however,"  said  Clayley  with  a  mali 
cious  wink,  "  but  that  we'll  have  them  here  in  a  squirrel's 
jump.  They  must  have  heard  the  report  of  our  guns." 

A  complete  change  became  visible  in  the  major's  bearing. 
The  point  of  his  saber  dropped  slowly  to  the  ground,  and 
the  blue  and  white  spots  began  to  array  themselves  afresh 
on  his  great  red  cheeks. 

"  Don't  you  think,  captain,"  said  he,  "  we've  gone  far 
enough  into  the  blasted  country  ?  There's  no  mules  in  it — 
I  can  certify  there's  not — not  a  single  mule.  Had  we  not 
better  return  to  camp?  " 

Before  I  could  reply,  an  object  appeared  that  drew  our 
attention,  and  heightened  the  mosaic  upon  the  major's  cheeks. 

A  man,  strangely  attired,  was  seen  running  down  the  slope 
towards  the  spot  where  we  were  standing. 

"  Guerillas,  by  Jove  !  "  exclaimed  Clayley,  in  a  voice  of 
feigned  terror;  and  he  pointed  to  the  scarlet  sash  which  was 
twisted  around  the  man's  waist. 

The  major  looked  round  for  some  object  where  he  might 
shelter  himself  in  case  of  a  skirmish.  He  was  sidling  be 
hind  a  high  point  of  the  parapet,  when  the  stranger  rushed 
forward,  and,  throwing  both  arms  about  his  neck,  poured 
forth  a  perfect  cataract  of  Spanish,  in  which  the  word  gracias 
was  of  frequent  occurrence. 

"  What  does  the  man  mean  with  his  grashes  ?  "  exclaimed 
the  major,  struggling  to  free  himself  from  the  Mexican. 

But  the  latter  did  not  hear  him,  for  his  eye  at  that  mo- 


DON   COSME   ROSALES.  113 

ment  rested  upon  my  dripping  habiliments ;  and,  dropping 
the  major,  he  transferred  his  embrace  and  gracias  to  me. 

"  Senor  Capitan,"  he  said,  still  speaking  in  Spanish,  and 
hugging  me  like  a  bear,  "accept  my  thanks.  Ah,  sir  !  you 
have  saved  my  children  ;  how  can  I  show  you  my  grati 
tude  ? " 

Here  followed  a  multitude  of  those  complimentary  expres 
sions  peculiar  to  the  language  of  Cervantes,  which  ended  by 
his  offering  me  his  house  and  all  it  contained. 

I  bowed  in  acknowledgment  of  his  courtesy,  apologizing 
for  being  so  ill  prepared  to  receive  his  "hug,"  as  I  observed 
that  my  saturated  vestments  had  wet  the  old  fellow  to  the 
»kin. 

I  had  now  time  to  examine  the  stranger,  who  was  a  tall, 
thin,  sallow  old  gentleman,  with  a  face  at  once  Spanish  and 
'.intelligent.  His  hair  was  white  and  short,  while  a  mustache, 
somewhat  grizzled,  shaded  his  lips.  Jet-black  brows  pro 
jected  over  a  pair  of  keen  and  sparkling  eyes.  His  dress 
was  a  roundabout  of  the  finest  white  linen,  with  vest  and 
pantaloons  of  the  same  material — the  latter  fastened  round 
the  waist  by  a  scarf  of  bright  red  silk.  Shoes  of  green 
morocco  covered  his  small  feet,  while  abroad  Guayaquil  hat 
shaded  his  face  from  the  sun. 

Though  his  costume  was  transatlantic — speaking  in  ref 
erence  to  Old  Spain — there  was  that  in  his  air  and  manner 
that  bespoke  him  a  true  hidalgo. 

After  a  moment's  observation  I  proceeded,  in  my  best 
Spanish,  to  express  my  regret  for  the  fright  which  the  young 
ladies — his  daughters,  I  presumed — had  suffered. 

The  Mexican  looked  at  me  with  a  slight  appearance  of 
surprise. 

€<  Why,  Senor  Capitan,"  said  he,  "  your  accent — you  are 
a  foreigner  ? " 

"  A  foreigner !     To  Mexico,  did  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Yes,  senor.    Is  it  not  so  ?  " 

& 


114  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Oh  1  of  course,"  answered  I,  smiling,  and  somewhat 
puzzled  in  turn. 

"  And  how  long  have  you  been  in  the  army,  Sefior  Cap- 
itan  ?  " 

"  But  a  short  time." 

"  How  do  you  like  Mexico,  seiior  ?  " 

"  I  have  seen  but  littk  of  it  as  yet. " 

"  Why,  how  long  have  you  been  in  the  country,  then  ? " 

"Three  days,"  answered  I ;  "we  landed  on  the  gth." 

"  Por  JDios  !  three  days,  and  in  our  army  already,"  muttered 
the  Spaniard,  throwing  up  his  eyes  in  unaffected  surprise. 

I  began  to  think  I  was  interrogated  by  a  lunatic. 

"  May  I  ask  what  countryman  you  are  ?  "  continued  the  old 
gentleman. 

"  What  countryman  ?     An  American,  of  course." 

"  An  American  ?  " 

"  Un  Americano"  repeated  I ;  for  we  were  conversing  in 
Spanish. 

"  Y son  esos  Americanos ?"  (And  are  these  Americans?) 
quickly  demanded  my  new  acquaintance. 

"  Si,  senor,"  replied  I. 

"  Carrambo  !  "  shouted  the  Spaniard,  with  a  sudden  leap, 
his  eyes  almost  starting  from  their  sockets. 

"  I  should  say,  not  exactly  Americans,"!  added.  "  Many 
of  them  are  Irish,  and  French,  and  Germans,  and  Swedes, 
and  Swiss ;  yet  they  are  all  Americans  now." 

But  the  Mexican  did  not  stay  to  hear  my  explanation. 
After  recovering  from  the  first  shock  of  surprise,  he  had 
bounded  through  the  grove ;  and  with  a  wave  of  his  hand, 
and  the  ejaculation  "Esperate!"  disappeared  among  the 
plantains.  The  men,  who  had  gathered  around  the  lower 
end  of  the  basin,  burst  out  into  a  roar  of  laughter,  which  I 
did  not  attempt  to  repress.  The  look  of  terrified  astonish 
ment  of  the  old  Don  had  been  too  much  for  my  own  gravity  ; 
and  I  could  not  help  being  amused  at  the  conversation  that 


DON   COSME    ROSALES.  Il5 

ensued  among  the  soldiers.  They  were  at  some  distance^ 
yet  I  could  overhear  their  remarks. 

"  That  Mexikin's  an  unhospitable  cuss !  "  muttered  Lin 
coln,  with  an  expression  of  contempt. 

"  He  might  av  axed  the  captain  to  dhrink,  after  savin' 
such  a  pair  of  illigant  craythers,"  said  Chane. 

"  Sorra  dhrap's  in  the  house,  Murt ;  the  place  looks  dry," 
remarked  another  son  of  the  Green  Isle. 

"  Och  !  an 'it's  a  beautiful  cage,  anyhow,"  returned  Chane ; 
"  and  beautiful  birds  in  it,  too.  It  puts  me  in  mind  of  ould 
Dimmerary  ;  but  there  we  had  the  liquor,  the  raal  rum — 
oshins  of  it,  alanna  !  " 

"  That  'ere  chap's  a  greelye,  I  strongly  'spect,"  whispered 
one,  a  regular  downcast  Yankee. 

'*  A  what  ?  "  asked  his  companion. 

•'Why,  a  greelye — one  o'  them  'ere  Mexikin  robbers." 

"  Arrah,  now  !  did  yez  see  the  rid  sash  ?  "  inquired  an 
Irishman. 

"  Thim's  captin's,"  suggested  the  Yankee. 

"  He's  a  captain  or  a  kurnel ;  I'll  bet  high  on  that." 

"  What  did  he  say,  Nath,  as  he  was  running  off  ? " 

"I  don't  know  'zactly — somethin'  that  sounded  mighty 
like  *  spearin  '  on  us." 

"  He's  a  lanzeer  then,  by  jingo ! " 

"  He  had  better  try  on  his  spearin',"  said  another  ;  "  there's 
shootin'  before  spearin' — mighty  good  ground,  too,  behind 
this  hyur  painted  wall." 

"The  old  fellow  was  mighty  frindly  at  first;  what  got 
into  him,  anyhow  ?  " 

"  Raoul  says  he  offered  to  give  the  captain  his  house  and 
all  the  furnishin's." 

"  Och,  mother  o'  Moses  !  and  thim  illigant  girls,  too  ?  " 

"  Ov  coorse." 

"  By  my  sowl !  an'  if  I  was  the  captain,  I'd  take  him  at 
his  word,  and  lave  off  fightin'  intirely." 


Jl6  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  It  is  delf,"  said  a  soldier,  referring  to  the  material  o! 
which  the  parapet  was  constructed. 

"No,  it  ain't." 

"It's  chancy,  then." 

"  No,  nor  chancy  either." 

"  Well,  what  is  it  ? " 

"  It's  only  a  stone  wall  painted,  you  greenhorn !  " 

"  Stone-thunder  !  it's  solid  delf,  I  say." 

"  Try  it  with  your  bayonet,  Jim." 

Crick — crick — crick — crinelll  reached  my  ears.  Turning 
round,  I  saw  that  one  of  the  men  had  commenced  breaking 
off  the  japanned  work  of  the  parapet  with  his  bayonet. 

"  Stop  that  !  "  I  shouted  to  the  man. 

The  remark  of  Chane  that  followed,  although  uttered 
sotto  voce,  I  could  distinctly  hear.  It  was  sufficiently  amus 
ing." 

"  The  captain  don't  want  yez  to  destroy  what'll  be  his  own 
some  day,  when  he  marries  one  of  thim  young  Dons.  Here 
comes  the  owld  one;  and,  by  the  powers!  he's  got  a  big 
paper  ;  he's  goin'  to  make  over  the  property  !  " 

Laughing,  I  looked  round,  and  saw  that  the  Don  was 
returning,  sure  enough.  He  hurried  up,  holding  out  a 
large  sheet  of  parchment. 

"  Well,  senor,  what's  this  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"No  soy  Mexicano — soy  Espanol!"  (I  am  no  Mexican — I 
am  a  Spaniard),  said  he,  with  the  expression  of  a  true 
hidalgo. 

Casting  my  eye  carelessly  over  the  document,  I  perceived 
that  it  was  a  safe-guard  from  the  Spanish  consul  at  Vera 
Cruz,  certifying  that  the  bearer,  Don  Cosme'  Resales,  was  a 
native  of  Spain. 

"  Senor  Resales,"  said  I,  returning  the  paper,  "  this  was 
not  necessary.  The  interesting  circumstances  under  which 
we  have  met  should  have  secured  you  good  treatment,  even 
were  you  a  Mexican  and  we  the  barbarians  we.  have  been 


DON   COSME    ROSALES.  117 

represented.  We  havre  come  to  make  war,  not  with  peace 
ful  citizens,  but  with  a  rabble  soldiery." 

JEs  verdad.     You  are  wet,  senor  ?  you  are  hungry  ?  " 

I  could  not  deny  that  I  was  both  the  one  and  the  other. 

"  You  need  refreshment,  gentlemen  ;  will  you  come  to  my 
house  ? " 

"  Permit  me,  senor,  to  introduce  to  you  Major  Blossom — 
Lieutenant  Clayley — Lieutenant  Oakes  :  Don  Cosine*  Ro- 
sales,  gentlemen." 

My  friends  and  the  Don  bowed  to  each  other.  The  major 
had  now  recovered  his  complacency. 

"  Vamonos  caballeros"  (Come  on,  gentlemen),  said  the 
Don,  starting  towards  the  house. 

"  But  your  soldiers,  capitan  ? "  added  he,  stopping  sud 
denly. 

"  They  will  remain  here,"  I  rejoined. 

"  Permit  me  to  send  them  some  dinner." 

"  Oh  !  certainly,"  replied  I ;  "  use  your  own  pleasure, 
Don  Cosme' ;  but  do  not  put  your  household  to  any  incon 
venience." 

In  a  few  minutes  we  found  our  way  to  the  house,  which 
was  neither  more  nor  less  than  the  cage-looking  structure 
already  described. 


Fruit  Pedler.    Water  Carrier.    Market  Woman. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  MEXICAN    DINNER. 

H  AS  AN    adentro,     sen- 
ores"  said    Don  Cos- 
me,  drawing  aside  the 
curtain  of  the  rancho, 
and  beckoning  us  to  enter. 

"  Ha !  "  exclaimed  the  major, 
struck  with  the  coup-d^il  of 
the  interior. 

"  Be  seated,  gentlemen.  Ya  vuelvo"  (I  will  return  in  an 
instant.) 

So  saying,  Don  Cosine*  disappeared  into  a  little  porch  in 
the  back,  partially  screened  from  observation  by  a  close 
network  of  woven  cane. 

"  Very  pretty,  by  Jove  !  "  said  Clayley,  in  a  low  voice. 
"  Pretty  indeed !  "  echoed  the  major,  with  one  of  his  cus 
tomary  asseverations. 

"  Stylish,  one  ought  rather  to  say,  to  do  it  justice." 
"  Stylish ! "   again   chimed   in   the   major,  repeating  his 
formula. 

It8 


A   MEXICAN    DINNER.  1 19 

u  Rosewood  chairs  and  tables,"  continued  Clayley  ;  "a 
harp,  guitar,  piano,  sofas,  ottomans,  carpets  knee-deep — 
whew  !  " 

Not  thinking  of  the  furniture,  I  looked  around  the  room, 
strangely  bewildered. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  what  perplexes  you,  captain  ?  "  asked  Clayley. 

"  Nothing." 

"  Ah  !  the  girls  you  spoke  of — the  nymphs  of  the  pond  ; 
but  where  the  deuce  are  they  ?  " 

"  Ay,  where  ? "  I  asked,  with  a  strange  sense  of  uneasiness. 

"  Girls !  what  girls  ?  "  inquired  the  major,  who  had  not 
yet  learned  the  exact  nature  of  our  aquatic  adventure. 

Here  the  voice  of  Don  Cosme  was  heard  calling  out — 

"  Pepe !  Ramon  !  Francisco  !  bring  dinner.  Anda  I 
anda!"  (Be  quick !) 

"Who  on  earth  is  the  old  fellow  calling?"  asked  the 
major,  with  some  concern  in  his  manner.  "  I  see  no  one." 

Nor  could  we;  so  we  all  rose  up  together,  and  approached 
that  side  of  the  building  that  looked  rearward. 

The  house,  to  all  appearance,  had  but  one  apartment — 
the  room  in  which  we  then  were.  The  only  point  of  this 
screened  from  observation  was  the  little  veranda  into  which 
Don  Cosine  had  entered ;  but  this  was  not  large  enough  to 
contain  the  number  of  persons  who  might  be  represented 
by  the  names  he  had  called  out. 

Two  smaller  buildings  stood  under  the  olive-trees  in  the 
rear ;  but  these,  like  the  house,  were  transparent,  and  not  a 
human  figure  appeared  within  them.  We  could  see  through 
the  trunks  of  the  olives  a  clear  distance  of  a  hundred  yards. 
Beyond  this,  the  mezquite  and  the  scarlet  leaves  of  the 
wild  maguey  marked  the  boundary  of  the  forest. 

It  was  equally  puzzling  to  us  whither  the  girls  had  gone, 
or  whence  "Pepe,  Ramon,  and  Francisco"  were  to  come. 

The  tinkling  of  a  little  bell  startled  us  from  our  conjec 
tures,  and  the  voice  of  Don  Cosine*  was  heard  inquiring — 


120  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Have  you  any  favorite  dish,  gentlemen  ?  " 

Some  one  answered,  "  No." 

"  Curse  me  ! "  exclaimed  the  major,  "  I  believe  he  can  get 
anything  we  may  call  for — raise  it  out  of  the  ground  by 
stamping  his  foot  or  ringing  a  bell ! — Didn't  I  tell  you  ?  " 

This  exclamation  was  uttered  in  consequence  of  the  ap 
pearance  of  a  train  of  well-dressed  servants,  five  or  six  in 
number,  bringing  waiters  with  dishes  and  decanters.  They 
entered  -from  the  porch ;  but  how  did  they  get  into  it  ? 
Certainly  not  from  the  woods  without,  else  we  should  have 
seen  them  as  they  approached  the  cage. 

The  major  uttered  a  terrible  invocation,  adding  in  a  hoarse 
whisper,  "  This  must  be  the  Mexican  Aladdin  !  " 

I  confess  I  was  not  less  puzzled  than  he.  Meanwhile  the 
servants  came  and  went,  going  empty,  and  returning  loaded. 
In  less  than  half  an  hour  the  table  fairly  creaked  under  the 
weight  of  a  sumptuous  dinner.  This  is  no  figure  of  speech. 
There  were  dishes  of  massive  silver,  with  huge  flagons  of 
the  same  metal,  and  even  cups  of  gold  ! 

"  Senores,  vamos  d  comer"  (Come,  let  us  eat,  gentlemen), 
said  Don  Cosme,  politely  motioning  us  to  be  seated.  "I 
fear  that  you  will  not  be  pleased  with  my  cuisine: — it  is 
surely  Mexican — estilo  del  pais" 

To  say  that  the  dinner  was  not  a  good  one  would  be  to 
utter  ^  falsehood,  and  contradict  the  statement  of  Major 
George  Blossom,  of  the  U.  S.  quartermaster's  department, 
who  afterwards  declared  that  it  was  the  best  dinner  he  had 
ever  eaten  in  his  life. 

Turtle  soup  first. 

"  Perhaps  you  would  prefer  julienne  or  vermicelli,  gentle 
men  ? "  inquired  the  Don. 

"  Thank  you  ;  your  turtle  is  very  fine,"  replied  I,  neces 
sarily  the  interpreter  of  the  party. 

"  Try  some  of  the  aguacate — it  will  improve  the  flavor  of 
your  soup. " 


A   MEXICAN    DINNER. 


121 


One  of  the  waiters   handed   round   a  dark,  olive-colored 
fruit  of  an  oblong  shape,  about  the  size  of  a  large  pear. 
"  Ask  him  how  it  is  used,  captain,"  said  the  major  to  me. 
"  Oh !  I  beg  your  pardon,  gentlemen.      I  had   forgotten 


Bread  Fruit  of  the  Tropics.    When  baked  it  is  an  excellent  sub 
stitute  for  biscuit    Diameter  4  to  5  inches. 

that  some  of  our  edibles  may  be  strange  to  you  :  simply  pare 
off  the  rind,  and  slice  it  thus." 

We  tried  the  experiment,  but  could  not  discover  any  pe 
culiar  improvement  in  the  flavor  of  the  soup.     The  pulp  of 


122  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  aguacate  seemed  singularly  insipid  to  our  northern 
palates. 

Fish,  as  with  us,  and  of  the  finest  quality,  formed  the 
second  course. 

A  variety  of  dishes  were  now  brought  upon  the  table ; 
most  of  them  new  to  us,  but  all  piquant,  pleasant  to  the  taste, 
and  peculiar. 

The  major  tried  them  all,  determined  to  find  out  which  he 
might  like  best — a  piece  of  knowledge  that  he  said  would 
serve  him  upon  some  future  occasion. 

The  Don  seemed  to  take  a  pleasure  in  helping  the  major, 
whom  he  honored  by  the  title  of  "  Sefior-Coronel." 

"  Puchero,  sefior  coronel  ? " 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  grunted  the  major,  and  tried  the  puchero. 

"  Allow  me  to  help  you  to  a  spoonful  of  mole" 

"  With  pleasure,  Don  CosmeV' 

The  mole*  suddenly  disappeared  down  the  major's  capa 
cious  throat. 

"  Try  some  of  this  chile  relleno." 

"  By  all  means,"  answered  the  major.  "  Ah,  by  Jove  !  hot 
as  fire  ! — whew  !  " 

"  Pica !  pica !  "  answered  Don  Cosine*,  pointing  to  his 
thorax,  and  smiling  at  the  wry  faces  the  major  was  making. 
"  Wash  it  down,  senor,  with  a  glass  of  this  claret — or  here, 
Pepe  !  Is  the  Johannisberg  cool  yet  ?  Bring  it  in,  then, 
Perhaps  you  prefer  champagne,  senores  ?  " 

"Thank  you;  do  not  trouble  yourself,  Don  Cosme." 

"No  trouble,  captain — bring  champagne.  Here,  sefior 
coronel — try  the  guisa  de  pato. " 

"  Thank  you,"  stammered  the  major  ;  "  you  are  very  kind. 
Curse  the  thing !  how  it  burns  !  " 

"  Do  you  think  he  understands  English  ? "  inquired  Clay- 
ley  of  me,  in  a  whisper. 

"  I  should  think  not,"  I  replied. 

"  Well,  then,  I  wish  to  say  aloud  that  this  old  chap's  a 


A   MEXICAN    DINNER.  123 

superb  old  gent.  What  say  you,  major?  Don't  you  wish 
we  had  him  on  the  lines  ?  " 

"  I  wish  his  kitchen  were  a  little  nearer  the  lines,"  replied 
the  other,  with  a  wink. 

"  Senor  coronel,  permit  me — — " 

"  What  is  it,  my  dear  Don  ?  "  inquired  the  major. 

"  Pas  teles  de  Moctezuma" 

"  Oh,  certainly !  I  say,  lads:  I  don't  know  what  the 
plague  I'm  eating — it's  not  bad  to  take,  though." 


Mexican  Iguana. 

"  Senor  coronel,  allow  me  to  help  you  to  a  guana  steak." 

"  A  guana  steak  !  "  echoed  the  major,  in  some  surprise. 

"  Sty  senor"  replied  Don  Cosme',  holding  the  steak  on  his 
fork. 

"  A  guana  steak  !  Do  you  think,  lads,  he  means  the  ugly 
things  we  saw  at  Lobos  ? " 

"  To  be  sure— why  not  ?  " 

"Then,  by  Jove,  I'm  through!  I  can't  go  lizards. 
Thank  you,  my  dear  Don  Cosme' ;  I  believe  I  have  dined." 

"  Try  this ;  it  is  very  tender,  I  assure  you,"  insisted  Don 
Cosme. 

"  Come,  try  it,  major,  and  report/'  cried  Clayley 


124  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Good — you're  like  the  apothecary  that  poisoned  his 
dog  to  try  the  effect  of  his  nostrums.  Well  " — with  an  ex 
clamation — "  here  goes  !  It  can't  be  very  bad,  seeing  how 
our  friend  gets  it  down.  Delicious,  by  Jupiter  !  tender  as 
chicken — good,  good  !  " — and  amidst  sundry  similar  ejacu 
lations  the  major  ate  his  first  guana  steak. 

"  Gentlemen,  here  is  an  ortolan  pie.  I  can  recommend  it 
— the  birds  are  in  season." 

"  Reed-birds,  by  Jove  !  "  said  the  major,  recognizing  his 
favorite  dish. 

An  incredible  number  of  these  creatures  disappeared  in 
an  incredibly  short  time. 

The  dinner-dishes  were  at  length  removed,  and  dessert 
followed  :  cakes  and  creams,  and  jellies  of  various  kinds^ 
and  blancmange,  and  a  profusion  of  the  most  luxurious 
fruits.  The  golden  orange,  the  ripe  pine,  the  pale  green  lime, 
the  juicy  grape,  the  custard-like  cherimolla,  the  zapote,  the 
granadilla,  the  pitahaya,  the  tuna,  the  mamay :  with  dates, 
figs,  almonds,  plantains,  bananas,  and  a  dozen  other  species  of 
fruits,  piled  upon  salvers  of  silver, were  set  before  us  :  in  fact, 
every  product  of  the  tropical  clime  that  could  excite  a  new 
nerve  of  the  sense  of  taste.  We  were  fairly  astonished  at  the 
profusion  of  luxuries  that  came  from  no  one  knew  where. 

"  Corne,  gentlemen,  try  a  glass  of  curagoa.  Senor  coronel, 
allow  me  the  pleasure. " 

"  Sir,  your  very  good  health." 

"  Senor  coronel,  would  you  prefer  a  glass  of  Majorca  ?" 

"  Thank  you." 

"  Or  perhaps  you  would  choose  Pedro  Ximenes.  I  have 
some  old  Pedro  Ximenes." 

"  Either,  my  dear  Don  Cosme — either." 

"  Bring  both,'  Ramon  ;  and  bring  a  couple  of  bottles  of 
the  Madeira — sello  verde"  (green  seal). 

"  As  I  am  a  Christian,  the  old  gentleman's  a  conjurer  !  " 
muttered  the  major,  now  in  the  best  humor  possible. 


A   MEXICAN    DINNER.  125 

"  I  wish  he  would  conjure  up  something  else  than  his 
confounded  wine  bottles,"  thought  I,  becoming  impatient  at 
the  non-appearance  of  the  ladies. 

"  Cafe,  senores  ?  "     A  servant  entered. 

Coffee  was  handed  round  in  cups  of  Sevres  china. 

"You  smoke,  gentlemen  ?  Would  you  prefer  a  Havana? 
Here  are  some  sent  me  from  Cuba  by  a  friend.  I  believe 
they  are  good  ;  or,  if  you  would  amuse  yourself  with  a  cigar- 
rito,  here  are  Campeacheanos.  These  are  the  country  cigars 
—puros,  as  we  call  them.  I  would  not  recommend  them.'' 

"  A  Havana  for  me,"  said  the  major,  helping  himself  at 
the  same  time  to  a  fine-looking  "  regalia." 

I  had  fallen  into  a  somewhat  painful  reverie. 

I  began  to  fear  that,  with  all  his  hospitality,  the  Mexican 
would  allow  us  to  depart  without  an  introduction  to  his 
family  ;  and  I  had  conceived  a  strong  desire  to  speak  with 
the  two  lovely  beings  whom  I  had  already  seen,  but  more 
particularly  with  the  brunette,  whose  looks  and  actions  had 
deeply  impressed  me.  So  strange  is  the  mystery  of  love ! 
My  heart  had  already  made  its  choice. 

I  was  suddenly  aroused  by  the  voice  of  Don  Cosine*,  who 
had  risen,  and  was  inviting  myself  and  comrades  to  join  the 
ladies  in  the  drawing-room. 

I  started  up  so  suddenly  as  almost  to  overturn  one  of  the 
tables. 

"  Why,  captain,  what's  the  matter  ?  "  said  Clayley.  "  Don 
Cosme'  is  about  to  introduce  us  to  the  ladies.  You're  not 
going  to  back  out  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not,"  stammered  I,  somewhat  ashamed  at  my 
gaucherie. 

"  He  says  they're  in  the  drawing-room,"  whispered  the 
major,  in  a  voice  that  betokened  a  degree  of  suspicion  ; 
"  but  where  the  plague  that  is,  Heaven  only  knows.  Stand 
by,  my  boys ! — are  your  pistols  all  right  ?  " 

"  Pshaw,  major  !  for  shame  !  " 


A  Dinner  Party  in  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A   SUBTERRANEAN   DRAWING-ROOM. 

HE    mystery   of    the    drawing- 
room,   and  the    servants,   and 
the  dishes,  was  soon  over.     A 
descending  stairway  explained 
the  enigma. 

"Let  me  conduct  you  to  my  cave, 
gentlemen,"  said  the  Spaniard  :  "  I  am 
half  a  subterranean.  In  the  hot  weather,  and  during  the 
northers,  we  find  it  more  agreeable  to  live  under  the  ground. 
Follow  me,  senores. " 

We  descended,  with  the  exception  of  Oakes,  who  returned 
to  look  after  the  men. 

At  the  foot  of  fbe  staircase  we  entered  a  hall  brilliantly 
126 


A   SUBTERRANEAN    DRAWING-ROOM.         127 

lighted.  The  floor  was  without  a  carpet,  and  exhibited  a 
mosaic  of  the  finest  marble.  The  walls  were  painted  of  a 
pale  blue  color,  and  embellished  by  a  series  of  pictures  from 
the  pencil  of  Murillo.  These  were  framed  in  a  costly  and 
elegant  manner.  From  the  ceiling  were  suspended  chande 
liers  of  a  curious  and  unique  construction,  holding  in  their 
outstretched  branches  wax  candles  of  an  ivory  whiteness. 

Large  vases  of  waxen  flowers,  covered  with  crystals,  stood 
around  the  hall  upon  tables  of  polished  marble.  Other  ar 
ticles  of  furniture,  candelabra,  girandoles,  gilded  clocks, 
filled  the  outline.  Broad  mirrors  reflected  the  different 
objects  ;  so  that,  instead  of  one  apartment,  this  hall  ap 
peared  only  one  of  a  continuous  suite  of  splendid  drawing- 
rooms. 

And  yet,  upon  closer  observation,  there  seemed  to  be  no 
door  leading  from  this  hall,  which,  as  Don  Cosme  informed 
his  guests,  was  the  ante-sala. 

Our  host  approached  one  of  the  large  mirrors,  and  slightly 
touched  a  spring.  The  tinkling  of  a  small  bell  was  heard 
within  ;  and  at  the  same  instant  the  mirror  glided  back,  re 
flecting  in  its  motion  a  series  of  brilliant  objects,  that  for  a 
moment  bewildered  our  eyes  with  a  blazing  light. 

"  Pasan  adentro,  senores"  said  Don  Cosme',  stepping  aside 
and  waving  us  to  enter. 

We  walked  into  the  drawing-room.  The  magnificence 
that  greeted  us  seemed  a  vision — a  glorious  and  dazzling 
hallucination — more  like  the  gilded  brilliance  of  some  en 
chanted  palace  than  the  interior  of  a  Mexican  gentleman's 
habitation. 

As  we  stood  gazing  with  irresistible  wonderment,  Don 
Cosme'  opened  a  side-door,  and  called  aloud,  "  Ninas,  ninas, 
ven  aca  !  "  (Children,  come  hither  !) 

Presently  we  heard  several  female  voices,  blended  together 
like  a  medley  of  singing  birds. 

They  approached.    We  heard  the  rustling  of  silken  dresses, 


128  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  falling  of  light  feet  in  the  doorway,  and  three  ladies  en 
tered — the  seriora  of  Don  Cosme,  followed  by  her  two  beau 
tiful  daughters,  the  heroines  of  our  aquatic  adventure. 

These  hesitated  a  moment,  scanning  our  faces;  then, 
with  a  cry  of  "  Nuestro  Salvador  I  "  both  rushed  forward,  and 
knelt,  or  rather  crouched,  at  my  feet,  each  of  them  clasping 
one  of  my  hands  and  covering  it  with  kisses. 

Their  panting  agitation,  their  flashing  eyes,  the  silken 
touch  of  their  delicate  fingers,  sent  the  blood  rushing  though 
my  veins  like  a  stream  of  lava  ;  but  in  their  gentle  accents, 
the  simple  ingenuousness  of  their  expressions,  the  childlike 
innocence  of  their  faces,  I  regarded  them  only  as  two  beau 
tiful  children  kneeling  in  the  abandon  of  gratitude. 

Meanwhile  Don  Cosme  had  introduced  Clayley  and  the 
major  to  his  sefiora,  whose  baptismal  name  was  Joaquina ; 
and  taking  the  young  ladies  one  in  each  hand,  he  presented 
them  as  his  daughters,  Guadalupe  and  Maria  de  la  Luz  (Mary 
of  the  Light). 

"  Mama,"  said  Don  Cosine*,  "  the  gentlemen  had  not 
quite  finished  their  cigars." 

"  Oh  !  they  can  smoke  here,"  replied  the  senora. 

"  Will  the  ladies  not  object  to  that  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  No — no — no  !  "  ejaculated  they  simultaneously. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  join  us  ? — we  have  heard  that  such  is 
the  custom  of  your  country." 

"  It  was  the  custom,"  said  Don  Cosine*.  "At  present  the 
young  ladies  of  Mexico  are  rather  ashamed  of  the  habit." 

"  We  no  smoke — mama,  yes,"  added  the  elder  —  the 
brunette — whose  name  was  Guadalupe. 

"  Ha  !  you  speak  English  ?  " 

"  Little  Englis  speak — no  good  Englis,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Who  taught  you  English  ?  "  I  inquired,  prompted  by  a 
mysterious  curiosity. 

"  Un  American  us  teach — Don  Emilio." 

"  Ha  !  an  American  ?  " 


A   SUBTERRANEAN    DRAWING-ROOM.         129 

"  Yes,  senor,"  said  Don  Cosme  :  "  a  gentleman  from 
Vera  Cruz,  who  formerly  visited  our  family." 

I  thought  I  could  perceive  a  desire  upon  the  part  of  our 
host  not  to  speak  further  on  this  subject,  and  yet  I  felt  a 
sudden,  and,  strange  to  say,  a  painful  curiosity  to  know 
more  about  Don  Emilio,  the  American,  and  his  connection 
with  our  newly-made  acquaintance.  I  can  only  explain  this 
by  asking  the  reader  if  he  or  she  has  not  experienced  a  sim 
ilar  feeling  while  endeavoring  to  trace  the  unknown  past 
of  some  being  in  whom  either  has  lately  taken  an  interest — 
an  interest  stronger  than  friendship  ? 

That  mama  smoked  was  clear,  for  the  old  lady  had  al 
ready  gone  through  the  process  of  unrolling  one  of  the  small 
cartouche-like  cigars.  Having  re-rolled  it  between  her  fin 
gers,  she  placed  it  within  the  gripe  of  a  pair  of  small  golden 
pincers. 

This  done,  she  held  one  end  to  the  coals  that  lay  upon  the 
brazero,  and  ignited  the  paper.  Then,  taking  the  other  end 
between  her  thin  purplish  lips,  she  breathed  forth  a  blue 
cloud  of  aromatic  vapor. 

After  a  few  whiffs  she  invited  the  major  to  participate, 
offering  him  a  cigarrito  from  her  beaded  cigar-case. 

This  being  considered  an  especial  favor,  the  major's  gal 
lantry  would  not  permit  him  to  refuse.  He  took  the  cigar 
rito,  therefore  ;  but  once  in  possession,  he  knew  not  how 
to  use  it. 

Imitating  the  senora,  he  opened  the  diminutive  cartridge, 
spreading  out  the  edges  of  the  wrapper,  but  attempted  in 
vain  to  re-roll  it. 

The  ladies,  who  had  watched  the  process,  seemed  highly 
amused,  particularly  the  younger,  who  laughed  outright. 

"  Permit  me,  senor  coronel,"  said  the  Dona  Joaquina,  tak 
ing  the  cigarrito  from   the  major's  hand,  and  giving  it   a 
turn  through  her  nimble  fingers,  which  brought  it  all  right 
again. 
9 


THfe    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Thus — now — hold  your  fingers  thus.  Do  not  press  it  .* 
suave,  suave.  This  end  to  the  light — so — very  well !  " 

The  major  lit  the  cigar,  and,  putting  it  between  his 
great  thick  lips,  began  to  puff  in  a  most  energetic  style. 

He  had  not  cast  off  half  a  dozen  whiffs  when  the  fire, 
reaching  his  fingers,  burned  them  severely,  causing  him  to 
remove  them  suddenly  from  the  cigarette.  The  wrapper 
then  burst  open  ;  and  the  loose  pulverized  tobacco  by  a  sud 
den  inhalation  rushed  into  his  mouth  and  down  his  throat, 
causing  him  to  cough  and  sputter  in  the  most  ludicrous  man 
ner. 

This  was  too  much  for  the  ladies,  who,  encouraged  by  the 
cachinnations  of  Clayley,  laughed  outright  ;  while  the  major 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  could  be  heard  interlarding  his  cough 
ing  solo  with  all  kinds  of  left-handed  blessings. 

The  scene  ended  by  one  of  the  young  ladies  offering  the 
major  a  glass  of  water,  which  he  drank  off,  effectually  clear 
ing  the  avenue  of  his  throat. 

"  Will  you  try  another,  senor  coronel  ? "  asked  Dona 
Joaquina,  with  a  smile. 

"  No,  ma'am,  thank  you,"  replied  the  major,  and  then  a 
sort  of  internal  subterraneous  growl  could  be  heard  in  his 
throat. 

The  conversation  continued  in  English,  and  we  were 
highly  amused  at  the  attempts  of  our  new  acquaintances  to 
express  themselves  in  that  language. 

After  failing,  on  one  occasion,  to  make  herself  understood, 
Guadalupe  said,  with  some  vexation  in  her  manner : 

"  We  wish  brother  was  home  come  ;  brother  speak  ver 
better  Englis." 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"In  the  ceety— Vera  Cruz." 

"Ha!  and  when  did  you  expect  him ?" 

"  Thees  day — to-night — he  home  come." 

"  Yes,"  added  the  Senora  Joaquina,  in  Spanish  :  "  he  went 


A   SUBTERRANEAN    DRAWING-ROOM. 

to  the  city  to  spend  a  few  days  with  a  friend  ;  but  he  was  to 
return  to-day,  and  we  are  looking  for  him  to  arrive  in  the 
evening." 

"  But  how  is  he  to  get  out  ? "  cried  the  major,  in  his  coarse, 
rough  manner. 

"  How  ? — why,  senor  ?  "  asked  the  ladies  in  a  breath,  turn 
ing  deadly  pale. 

*'  Why,  he  can't  pass  the  pickets,  ma'am,"  answered  the 
major. 

"  Explain,  captain  ;  explain  !  "  said  the  ladies,  appealing 
to  me  with  looks  of  anxiety. 

I  saw  that  concealment  would  be  idle.  The  major  had 
fired  the  train. 

"  It  gives  me  pain,  ladies,"  said  I,  speaking  in  Spanish,  "  to 
inform  you  that  you  must  be  disappointed.  I  fear  the  return 
of  your  brother  to-day  is  impossible." 

"  But  why,  captain  ? — why  ?  " 

"  Our  lines  are  completely  around  Vera  Cruz,  and  all  in 
tercourse  to  and  from  the  city  is  at  an  end." 

Had  a  shell  fallen  into  Don  Cosme's  drawing-room,  it 
could  not  have  caused  a  greater  change  in  the  feelings  of  its 
inmates.  Knowing  nothing  of  military  life,  they  had  no  idea 
that  our  presence  there  had  drawn  an  impassable  barrier 
between  them  and  a  much-loved  member  of  their  family. 
In  a  seclusion  almost  hermetical,  they  knew  that  a  war  ex 
isted  between  their  country  and  the  United  States  ;  but  that 
was  far  away  upon  the  Rio  Grande.  They  had  heard,  more 
over,  that  our  fleet  lay  off  Vera  Cruz,  and  the  pealing  of  the 
distant  thunder  of  San  Juan  had  from  time  to  time  reached 
their  ears  ,•  but  they  had  not  dreamed,  on  seeing  us,  that  the 
city  was  invested  by  land.  The  truth  was  now  clear ;  and 
the  anguish  of  the  mother  and  daughters  became  afflicting, 
when  we  informed  them  of  what  we  were  unable  to  conceal 
— that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  American  commander  to 
bombard  the  city. 


132 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


The  scene  was  to  us  deeply  distressing. 

Dona  Joaquina  wrung  her  hands,  and  called  upon  the 
Virgin  with  all  the  earnestness  of  entreaty.  The  sisters  clung 
alternately  to  their  mother  and  Don  Cosme',  weeping  and 
crying  aloud,  "  Pobre  Narcisso  !  nuestro  hermanito — le  ase- 
sinaranl"  (Poor  Narcisso,  our  little  brother! — they  will 
murder  him  !) 

In  the  midst  of  this  distressing  scene  the  door  of  the 
drawing-room  was  thrown  suddenly  open,  and  a  servant 
rushed  in,  shouting  in  an  agitated  voice,  "  El  nortt  \  & 
nort'el" 


Tropical  American  Indians  Spearing  Fish. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
"THE  NORTHER." 

E  hurried  after  Don  Cosme'  towards 
the  ante-sala,  both  myself  and  my  com 
panions  ignorant  of  this  new  object 
of  dread. 

When  we  emerged  from  the  stair 
way,  the  scene  that  hailed  us  was 
one  of  terrific  sublimity.  Earth  and 
heaven  had  undergone  a  "sudden  and 
convulsive  change.  The  face  of  nature 
but  a  moment  since  gay  with  summer 
smiles,  was  now  hideously  distorted.  The  sky  had  changed 
suddenly  from  its  blue  and  sunny  brightness  to  an  aspect 
dark  and  portentous. 

Along  the  northwest  a  vast  volume  of  black  vapor  rolled 
up  over  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  rested  upon  the  peaks  of  the 
mountains.  From  this,  ragged  masses,  parting  in  fantastic 
forms  and  groupings,  floated  off  against  the  concavity  of  the 
sky,  as  though  the  demons  of  the  storm  were  breaking  up 

'33 


134  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

from  an  angry  council.  Each  of  these,  as  it  careered  across 
the  heavens,  seemed  bent  upon  some  spiteful  purpose. 

An  isolated  fragment  hung  lowering  above  the  snowy  cone 
of  Orizava,  like  a  huge  vampire  suspended  over  his  sleeping 
victim. 

From  the  great  "  parent  cloud  "  that  rested  upon  the 
Sierra  Madre,  lightning-bolts  shot  out  and  forked  hither  and 
thither,  or  sank  into  the  detached  masses — the  messengers 
of  the  storm-king,  bearing  his  fiery  mandates  across  the 
sky. 

Away  along  the  horizon  of  the  east  moved  the  yellow 
pillars  of  sand,  whirled  upward  by  the  wind,  like  vast 
columnar  towers  leading  to  heaven. 

The  storm  had  not  yet  reached  the  rancho.  The  leaves 
lay  motionless  under  a  dark  and  ominous  calm;  but  the 
wild  screams  of  many  birds — the  shrieks  of  the  swans,  the 
discordant  notes  of  the  frightened  pea-owl,  the  chattering  of 
parrots,  as  they  sought  the  shelter  of  the  thick  olives  in 
terrified  flight — all  betokened  the  speedy  advent  of  some 
fearful  convulsion. 

The  rain  in  large  drops  fell  upon  the  broad  leaves,  with  a 
soft  plashing  sound;  and  now  and  then  a  quick,  short  puff 
came  snorting  along,  and,  seizing  the  feathery  frondage  of 
the  palms,  shook  them  with  a  spiteful  and  ruffian  energy. 

The  long  green  stripes,  after  oscillating  a  moment,  would 
settle  down  again  in  graceful  and  motionless  curves. 

A  low  sound  like  the  "  sough  "  of  the  sea,  or  the  distant 
falling  of  water,  came  from  the  north  ;  while  at  intervals  the 
hoarse  bark  of  the  coyote,  and  the  yelling  of  terrified 
monkeys,  could  be  heard  afar  off  in  the  woods. 

"  Tapa  la  casa  !  tapa  la  casa  !  "  (Cover  the  house  !)  cried 
Don  Cosme',  as  soon  as  he  had  fairly  got  his  head  above 
ground. 

"  Anda! — anda  con  los  macates!"  (Quick  with  the  cords  !> 

With   lightning  quickness  a  roll  of  palmetto  mats 


"  THE    NORTHER/'  135 

down  on  all  sides  of  the  house,  completely  covering  the 
bamboo  walls,  and  forming  a  screen  impervious  to  both  wind 
and  rain.  This  was  speedily  fastened  at  all  corners,  and 
strong  stays  were  carried  out  and  warped  around  the  trunks 
of  trees.  In  five  minutes  the  change  was  complete.  The 
cage-looking  structure  had  disappeared,  and  a  house  with 
walls  of  yellow  petate  stood  in  its  place. 

"  Now,  sefiores,  all  is  secured,"  said  Don  Cosme'.  "Let 
us  return  to  the  drawing-room." 

"  I  should  like  to  see  the  first  burst  of  this  tornado,"  I 
remarked,  not  wishing  to  intrude  upon  the  scene  of  sorrow 
we  had  left. 

"  So  be  it,  captain.     Stand  here  under  the  shelter,  then.*' 

"Hot  as  thunder!"  growled  the  major,  wiping  the  per 
spiration  from  his  broad  red  cheeks. 

"  In  five  minutes,  senor  coronel,  you  will  be  chilled.  At 
this  point  the  heated  atmosphere  is  now  compressed.  Pa 
tience  !  it  will  soon  be  scattered." 

"  How  long  will  the  storm  continue  ?  "     I  asked. 

"  Por  Dios  !  senor,  it  is  impossible  to  tell  how  long  the 
"  norte  "  may  rage  :  sometimes  for  days  ;  perhaps  only  for  a 
few  hours.  This  appears  to  be  a  "  huracana"  If  so,  it  will 
be  short,  but  terrible  while  it  lasts.  Carrambo  !  " 

A  puff  of  cold,  sharp  wind  came  whistling  past  like  an 
arrow.  Another  followed,  and  another,  like  the  three  seas 
that  roll  over  the  stormy  ocean.  Then,  with  a  loud  rushing 
sound,  the  broad  full  blast  went  sweeping — strong,  dark,  and 
dusty — bearing  upon  its  mane  the  screaming  and  terrified 
birds,  mingled  with  torn  and  flouted  leaves. 

The  olives  creaked  and  tossed  about.  The  tall  palms 
bowed  and  yielded,  flinging  out  their  long  pinions  like 
streamers.  The  broad  leaves  of  the  plantains  flapped  and 
whistled,  and,  bending  gracefully,  allowed  the  fierce  blast  to 
pass  over. 

Then  a  great  cloud  came  rolling  down;  a  thick  vapor 


136 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


seemed  to  fill  the  space  ;  and  the  air  felt  hot,  and  dark,  and 
heavy.  A  choking,  sulphureous  smell  rendered  the  breath 
ing  difficult,  and  for  a  moment  day  seemed  changed  to  night, 


Suddenly  the  whole  atmosphere  blazed  forth  in  a  sheet  of 
flame,  and  the  trees  glistened  as  though  they  were  on  fire. 
An  opaque  darkness  succeeded.  Another  flash,  and  along 


"  THE    NORTHER."  137 

with  it    the   crashing   thunder — the    artillery   of    heaven- 
deafening  all  other  sounds. 

Peal  followed  peal ;  the  vast  cloud  was  breached  and  burst 
by  a  hundred  fiery  bolts  ;  and  like  an  avalanche  the  heavy 
tropical  rain  was  precipitated  to  the  earth. 

It  fell  in  torrents,  but  the  strength  of  the  tempest  had  been 
spent  on  the  first  onslaught.  The  dark  cloud  passed  on  to 
the  south,  and  a  piercing  cold  wind  swept  after  it. 

"  Vamos  d  bajar,  senores  "  (Let  us  descend,  gentlemen), 
said  Don  Cosmtf,  with  a  shiver,  and  he  conducted  us  back 
to  the  stairway. 

Clayley  and  the  major  looked  towards  me  with  an  expres 
sion  that  said,  "  Shall  we  go  in  ?  "  There  were  several 
reasons  why  our  return  to  the  drawing-room  was  unpleasant 
to  myself  and  my  companions.  A  scene  of  domestic  affliction 
is  ever  painful  to  a  stranger.  How  much  more  painful  to 
us,  knowing,  as  we  did,  that  our  countrymen — that  we — had 
been  the  partial  agents  of  this  calamity !  We  hesitated  a 
moment  on  the  threshold. 

"  Gentlemen,  we  must  return  for  a  moment :  we  have  been 
the  bearers  of  evil  tidings — let  us  offer  such  consolation  as 
we  may  think  of.  Come  !  " 


Primitive  Sugar  Mill  used  by  the  Mexicans. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

A  LITTLE  FAIR  WEATHER  AGAIN. 

N  re-entering  the  sala  the  picture  of 
woe  was  again  presented,  but  in  an 
altered  aspect.  A  change,  sudden 
as  the  atmospheric  one  we  had  just 
witnessed,  had  taken  place  ;  and  the 
scene  of  wild  weeping  was  now  succeeded  by  one  of  resigna 
tion  and  prayer. 

On  one  side  was  Dona  Joaquina,  holding  in  her  hands  a 
golden  rosary  with  its  crucifix.  The  girls  were  kneeling  in 
front  of  a  picture — a  portrait  of  Dolores  with  the  fatal  dagger  • 
and  the  "Lady  of  Grief"  looked  not  more  sorrowful  from 
the  canvas  than  the  beautiful  devotees  that  bent  before  her. 
138 


A   LITTLE    FAIR  WEATHER.  139 

With  their  heads  slightly  leaning,  their  arms  crossed  upoii 
their  swelling  bosoms,  and  their  long  loose  hair  trailing  upon 
the  carpet,  they  formed  a  picture  at  once  painful  and  pre 
possessing. 

Not  wishing  to  intrude  upon  this  sacred  sorrow,  we  made 
a  motion  to  retire. 

"  No,  sefiors,"  said  Don  Cosme',  interrupting  us ;  "  be 
seated  ;  let  us  talk  calmly — let  us  know  the  worst." 

We  then  proceeded  to  inform  Don  Cosme'  of  the  landing 
of  the  American  troops,  and  the  manner  in  which  our  lines 
were  drawn  around  the  city,  and  pointed  out  to  him  the  im 
possibility  of  any  one  passing  either  in  or  out. 

"  There  is  still  a  hope,  Don  Cosmd,"  said  I,  "  and  that, 
perhaps,  rests  with  yourself." 

The  thought  had  struck  me  that  a  Spaniard  of  Don 
Cosine's  evident  rank  and  wealth  might  be  enabled  to  pro 
cure  access  to  the  city  by  means  of  his  consul,  and  through 
the  Spanish  ship  of  war  that  I  recollected  was  lying  off  San 
Juan. 

"  Oh  !  name  it,  captain  ;  name  it !  "  cried  he,  while  at  the 
word  "  hope "  the  ladies  had  rushed  forward,  and  stood 
clinging  around  me. 

"  There  is  a  Spanish  ship  of  war  lying  under  the  walls  of 
Vera  Cruz." 

"  We  know  it — we  know  it !  "  replied  Don  Cosmd  eagerly. 

"  Ah  !  you  know  it,  then  ?  " 

"Oh  yes,"  said  Guadalupe.  "  Don  Santiago  is  on  board 
of  her." 

"  Don  Santiago  ?  "  inquired  I  ;  "  who  is  he  ?  " 

"  He  is  a  relation  of  ours,  captain,"  said  Don  Cosme — 
"  an  officer  in  the  Spanish  navy." 

This  information  pained  me,  although  I  scarcely  knew  why. 

"  You  have  a  friend,  then,  aboard  the  Spanish  ship," 
said  I  to  the  elder  of  the  sisters.  "  'Tis  well  ;  it  will  be  in 
his  power  to  restore  to  you  your  brother." 


140  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

A  ring  of  brightening  faces  was  around  me  while  I  ut 
tered  these  cheering  words  ;  and  Don  Cosme'  grasping  me  by 
the  hand,  entreated  me  to  proceed. 

"  This  Spanish  ship,"  I  continued,  "  is  still  allowed  to  keep 
up  a  communication  with  the  town.  You  should  proceed 
aboard  at  once,  and  by  the  assistance  of  this  friend  you 
may  bring  away  your  son  before  the  bombardment  com 
mences.  I  see  no  difficulty  ;  our  batteries  are  not  yet 
termed." 

"  I  will  go  this  instant !  "  said  Don  Cosme',  leaping  to  his 
feet,  while  Dona  Joaquina  and  her  daughters  ran  out  to  make 
preparations  for  his  journey. 

Hope — sweet  hope — was  again  in  the  ascendant. 

"  But  how,  senor  ? "  asked  Don  Cosine*,  as  soon  as  they 
were  gone — "  how  can  I  pass  your  lines  ?  Shall  I  be  per 
mitted  to  reach  the  ship  ?  " 

"It  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  accompany  you,  Don 
Cosme', "  I  replied  ;  "  and  I  regret  exceedingly  that  my  duty 
will  not  permit  me  to  return  with  you  at  once." 

'*  Oh,  senor  !  "  exclaimed  the  Spaniard,  with  a  painful  ex 
pression. 

"  My  business  here,"  continued  I,  "  is  to  procure  pack- 
mules  for  the  American  army." 

"Mules?" 

"  Yes.  We  were  crossing  for  that  purpose  to  a  plain  on 
the  other  side  of  the  woods,  where  we  had  observed  some 
animals  of  that  description." 

"  Tis  true,  captain — there  are  a  hundred  or  more  ;  they 
are  mine — take  them  all !  " 

"  But  it  is  our  intention  to  pay  for  them,  Don  Cosme'. 
The  major  here  has  the  power  to  contract  with  you." 

"  As  you  please,  gentlemen  ;  but  you  will  then  return  this 
way,  and  proceed  to  your  camp  ?  " 

"  As  soon  as  possible,"  I  replied.  "  How  far  distant  is 
this  plain  ?  " 


A   LITTLE    FAIR   WEATHER.  141 

"  Not  more  than  a  league.  I  would  go  with  you,  but " 

Here  Don  Cosme  hesitated,  and,  approaching,  said,  in  a  low 
tone  :  4<  The  truth  is,  senor  captain,  I  should  be  glad  if  you 
could  take  them  without  my  consent.  I  have  mixed  but  little 
in  the  politics  of  this  country  ;  but  Santa  Anna  is  my  enemy 
— he  will  ask  no  better  motive  for  despoiling  me." 

"I  understand  you,"  said  I.  "Then,  Don  Cosine*,  we 
will  take  your  mules  by  force,  and  carry  yourself  a  prisoner 
to  the  American  camp — a  Yankee  return  for  your  hospi 
tality." 

"  It  is  good,"  replied  the  Spaniard  with  a  smile. 

"  Senor  captain,"  continued  he,  "  you  are  without  a 
sword.  Will  you  favor  me  by  accepting  this  ?  " 

Don  Cosme  held  out  to  me  a  rapier  of  Toledo  steel, 
with  a  golden  scabbard  richly  chased,  and  bearing  on  its 
hilt  the  eagle  and  nopal  of  Mexico. 

"  It  is  a  family  relic  and  once  belonged  to  the  brave 
Guadalupe  Victoria." 

"  Ha  !  indeed  ! "  I  exclaimed,  taking  the  sword  ;  "  I  shall 
value  it  much.  Thanks,  senor  !  thanks  !  Now,  major,  we 
are  ready  to  proceed." 

"  A  glass  of  maraschino,  gentlemen  ? "  said  Don  Cosme^ 
as  a  servant  appeared  with  a  flask  and  glasses. 

"  Thank  you — yes,"  grunted  the  major  ;  "  and  while  we  are 
drinking  it,  senor  don,  let  me  give  you  a  hint.  You  appear 
to  have  plenty  of  pewter"  Here  the  major  significantly 
touched  a  gold  sugar-dish,  which  the  servant  was  carrying 
upon  a  tray  of  chased  silver  :  "  Take  my  word  for,  it  you 
can't  bury  it  too  soon." 

"  It  is  true,  Don  Cosme,"  said  I,  translating  to  him  the 
major's  advice.  "  We  are  not  French,  but  there  are  robbers 
who  hang  on  the  skirts  of  every  army." 

Don  Cosme'  promised  to  follow  the  hint  with  alacrity,  and 
we  prepared  to  take  our  departure  from  the  rancho. 

"  I  will  give  you  a  guide,  senor,  captain  ;  you  will  find  my 


142 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


people  with  the  mulada.  Please  compel  them  to  lasso  the 
cattle  for  you.  You  will  obtain  what  you  want  in  the  corral. 
Adios  senores  !  " 

"  Farewell,  Don  Cosine* !  " 

"  Adieu,  ladies,  adieu  !  " 

"  Adios,  capitan  !  adios  !  adios  !  " 

I  held  out  my  hand  to  the  younger  of  the  girls,  who 
instantly  caught  it  and  pressed  it  to  her  lips.  It  was  the 
action  of  a  child.  Guadalupe  followed  the  example  of  her 
sister,  but  evidently  with  a  degree  of  reserve.  What,  then 
should  have  caused  this  difference  in  their  manner? 

In  the  next  moment  we  were  ascending  the  stairway. 

"Lucky  dog!"  growled  the  major.  "Take  a  ducking 
myself  for  that." 

"Both  beautiful,  by  Jove  !"  said  Clayley  ;  "but  of  all 
the  women  I  ever  saw,  give  me  *  Mary  of  the  Light.'" 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE   SCOUT   CONTINUED, 

WITH    A  VARIETY  OF 

REFLECTIONS. 


OVE  is  a  rose 
growing  up 
on  a  thorny 
bramble. 
There  is  jealousy  in  the 
very  first  blush  of  a  pas 
sion.  No  sooner  has 
a  fair  face  made  its  in* 
press  on  the  heart  than 
hopes  and  fears  spring 
up  in  alternation.  Ev 
ery  action,  every  word 
every  look,  is  noted  and 
examined  with  a  jealous 
scrutiny  ;  and  the  heart 
of  the  lover,  changing 
like  the  chamelon,  takes 
its  hues  from  the  latest 
sentiment  that  may 

have  dropped  from  the  loved  one's  lips.  And  then  the 
various  looks,  words,  and  actions,  the  favorable  with  the 
unfavorable,  are  recalled,  and  by  a  mental  process  classified 
and  marshaled  against  each  other,  and  compared  and 

H3 


Sajou  Monkey  and  Mammy  Apple 
of  Mexico. 


144  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

balanced  with  as  much  exactitude  as  the  pros  and  canto  ju 
of  a  miser's  bank-book ;  and  in  this  process  we  have  a  new 
alternation  of  hopes  and  fears. 

Ah,  love!  we  could  write  a  long  history  of  thy  rise  and 
progress ;  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  of  our  readers 
would  be  a  jot  the  wiser  for  it.  Most  of  them,  ere  this,  have 
read  that  history  in  their  own  hearts. 

I  felt  and  knew  that  I  was  in  love.  It  had  come  like  a 
thought,  as  it  comes  upon  all  men  whose  souls  are  attuned 
to  vibrate  under  the  mystical  impressions  of  the  beautiful. 
And  well  I  knew  she  was  beautiful.  I  saw  its  unfailing 
index  in  those  oval  developments — the  index,  too  of  the 
intellectual ;  for  experience  had  taught  me  that  intellect  takes 
a  shape  ;  and  that  those  peculiarities  of  form  that  we  admire, 
without  knowing  why,  are  but  the  material  illustrations  of 
the  diviner  principles  of  mind. 

The  eye,  too,  with  its  almond  outline,  and  wild,  half- 
Indian,  half-Arab  expression — the  dark  tracery  over  the  lip, 
so  rarely  seen  in  the  lineaments  of  her  sex — even  these 
were  attractions.  There  was  something  picturesque,  some 
thing  strange,  something  almost  fierce,  in  her  aspect  ;  and 
yet  it  was  this  indefinable  something,  this  very  fierceness, 
that  had  challenged  my  love.  For  I  must  confess  mine  is 
not  one  of  those  curious  natures  that  I  have  read  of,  whose 
love  is  based  only  upon  the  goodness  of  the  object.  THAT 
is  not  love. 

My  heart  recognized  in  her  the  heroine  of  extremes.  One 
of  those  natures  gifted  with  all  the  tenderness  that  belongs 
to  the  angel  idea — woman  ;  yet  soaring  above  her  sex  in  the 
paralyzing  moments  of  peril  and  despair.  Her  feelings,  in 
relation  to  her  sister's  cruelty  to  the  gold-fish,  proved  the  ex 
istence  of  the  former  principles  ;  her  actions,  in  attempting 
my  own  rescue  when  battling  with  the  monster,  were  evi 
dence  of  the  latter.  One  of  those  natures  that  may  err 
from  the  desperate  intensity  of  one  passion,  that  knows  no 


THE   SCOUT   CONTINUED.  145 

limit  to  its  self-sacrifice  short   of   destruction   and  death. 
One  of  those  beings  that  may  fall — but  only  once. 

"  What  would  I  not  give — what  would  I  not  do — to  be 
the  hero  of  such  a  heart  ?  " 

These  were  my  reflections  as  I  quitted  the  house. 

I  had  noted  every  word,  every  look,  every  action,  that 
could  lend  me  a  hope  ;  and  my  memory  conjured  up,  and 
my  judgment  canvassed,  each  little  circumstance  in  its  turn. 

How  strange  her  conduct  at  bidding  adieu  !  How  unlike 
her  sister  !  Less  friendly  and  sincere ;  and  yet  from  this 
very  circumstance  I  drew  my  happiest  omen. 

Strange — is  it  not  ?  My  experience  has  taught  me  that 
love  and  hate  for  the  same  object  can  exist  in  the  sameheart, 
and  at  the  same  time.  If  this  be  a  paradox,  I  am  a  child  of 
error. 

I  believed  it  then ;  and  her  apparent  coldness,  which  would 
have  rendered  many  another  hopeless,  produced  with  me  an 
opposite  effect. 

Then  came  the  cloud — the  thought  of  Don  Santiago — and 
a  painful  feeling  shot  through  my  heart. 

"  Don  Santiago,  a  naval  officer,  young,  handsome.  Bah  ! 
hers  is  not  a  heart  to  be  won  by  a  face." 

Such  were  my  reflections  and  half-uttered  expressions  as 
I  slowly  led  my  soldiers  through  the  tangled  path. 

Don  Santiago's  age  and  his  appearance  were  the  creations 
of  a  jealous  fancy.  I  had  bidden  adieu  to  my  new  acquaint 
ances  knowing  nothing  of  Don  Santiago  beyond  the  fact 
that  he  was  an  officer  on  board  the  Spanish  ship  of  war,  and 
a  relation  of  Don  Cosine*. 

"  Oh  yes  !  Don  Santiago  is  on  board  !  Ha  !  there  was 
an  evident  interest.  Her  look  as  she  said  it ;  her  manner — • 
furies !  But  he  is  a  relation,  a  cousin — a  cousin — /  hate 
cousins  !  " 

I  must  have  pronounced  the  last  words  aloud,  as  Lincoln, 
who  walked  in  my  rear,  stepped  hastily  up,  and  asked : 
10 


146  THE    K3FIE    RANGERS. 

"  What  did  yer  say,  cap'n  r  " 

"  Oh  !  nothing,  sergeant/'  stammered  I,  in  some  confu 
sion. 

Notwithstanding  my  assurance,  I  overheard  Lincoln  whis 
per  to  his  nearest  comrade  : 

"What  ther  old  Harry  hes  got  into  the  cap  ? " 

He  referred  to  the  fact  that  I  had,  unconsciously  hooked 
myself  half  a  dozen  times  on  the  thorny  claws  of  the  pita- 
plant,  and  my  overalls  began  to  exhibit  a  most  tattered  con 
dition. 

Our  route  lay  through  a  dense  chapparal — now  crossing  a 
sandy  spur,  covered  with  mezquite  and  acacia  ;  then  sink 
ing  into  the  bed  of  some  silent  creek,  shaded  with  old  cork 
trees,  whose  gnarled  and  venerable  trunks  were  laced  to 
gether  by  a  thousand  parasites.  Two  miles  from  the  rancho 
we  reached  the  banks  of  a  considerable  stream,  which  we 
conjectured  was  a  branch  of  the  Jamapa  River. 

On  both  sides  a  fringe  of  dark  forest-trees  flung  out  long 
branches  extending  halfway  across  the  stream.  The  water 
flowed  darkly  underneath. 

Huge  lilies  stood  out  from  the  banks — their  broad,  wax- 
like  leaves  trailing  upon  the  glassy  ripple. 

Here  and  there  were  pools  fringed  with  drooping  willows 
and  belts  of  green  tuli.  Other  aquatic  plants  rose  from  the 
water  to  the  height  of  twenty  feet ;  among  which  we  distin 
guished  the  beautiful  "  iris,"  with  its  tall,  spear-like  stem, 
ending  in  a  brown  cylinder,  like  the  pompon  of  a  grenadier's 
cap. 

As  we  approached  the  banks  the  pelican,  scared  from  his 
lonely  haunt,  rose  upon  heavy  wing,  and  with  a  shrill  scream 
flapped  away  through  the  dark  aisles  of  the  forest.  The 
cayman  plunged  sullenly  into  the  sedgy  water ;  and  the 
"  Sajou"  monkey,  suspended  by  his  prehensile  tail  from  some 
overhanging  bough,  oscillated  to  and  fro,  and  filled  the  ak 
with  his  hideous,  half-human  cries. 


THE   SCOUT   CONTINUED. 


147 


Halting  for  a  moment  to  refill  the  canteens,  we  Ci'ossed 
over  and  ascended  the  opposite  bank.  A  himdred  paces 
farther  on  the  guide,  who  had  gone  ahead,  cried  out  iron*  <** 
eminence,  "Mira  la  cabalada  !  "  (Yonder's  th*  \iro»*»  u 


Vaqueros  Lassoing  Wild  Horses. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


ONE  WAY  OF  TAMING  A  BULL. 


USHING   through   the 
jungle,    we     ascended 
the  eminence.     A  bril 
liant     picture    opened 
before  us.     The  storm  had  sud 
denly   lulled,    and    the   tropical 
sun  shone  down  upon  the  flowery 
surface  of  the  earth,  bathing  its 
verdure  in  a  flood  of  yellow  light. 

It  was  several  hours  before  sunset,  but  the  bright  orb  had 
commenced  descending  towards  the  snowy  cone  of  Orizava, 
and  his  rays  had  assumed  that  golden  red  which  characterizes 
the  ante-twilight  of  the  tropics.  The  short-lived  storm  had 
swept  the  heavens,  and  the  blue  roof  of  the  world  was  with 
out  a  cloud.  The  dark  masses  had  rolled  away  over  the 
south-eastern  horizon,  and  were  now  spending  their  fury 
upon  the  dyewood  forests  of  Honduras  and  Tabasco, 
148 


ONE   WAY   OF  TAMING   A   BULL.  149 

At  our  feet  lay  the  prairie,  spread  before  us  like  a  green 
carpet,  and  bounded  upon  the  farther  side  by  a  dark  wall  of 
forest-trees.  Several  clumps  of  timber  grew  like  islands  on 
the  plain,  adding  to  the  picturesque  character  of  the  land 
scape. 

Near  the  center  of  the  prairie  stood  a  small  rancho,  sur 
rounded  by  a  high  picket  fence.  This  we  at  once  recognized 
as  the  "corral  "  mentioned  by  Don  Cosme. 

At  some  distance  from  the  enclosure  thousands  of  cattle 
were  browsing  upon  the  grassy  level,  their  spotted  flanks  and 
long  upright  horns  showing  their  descent  from  the  famous 
race  of  Spanish  bulls.  Some  of  them,  straggling  from  the 
herd,  rambled  through  the  "  mottes,"  or  lay  stretched  out 
under  the  shade  of  some  isolated  palm-tree.  Ox  bells  were 
tinkling  their  cheerful  but  monotonous  music.  Hundreds 
of  horses  and  mules  mingled  with  the  herd ;  and  we  could 
distinguish  a  couple  of  leather-clad  vaqueros  galloping  from 
point  to  point  on  their  swift  mustangs. 

These,  as  we  appeared  upon  the  ridge,  dashed  out  after  a 
will  bull  that  had  just  escaped  from  the  corral. 

All  five — the  vaqueros,  the  mustangs,  and  the  bull — swept 
over  the  prairie  like  wind,  the  bull  bellowing  with  rage  and 
terror ;  while  the  vaqueros  were  yelling  in  his  rear,  and 
whirling  their  long  lazos.  Their  straight  black  hair  floating 
in  the  wind — their  swarthy,  Arab-like  faces — their  high 
Spanish  hats — their  red  leather  calzoneros,  buttoned  up  the 
sides — their  huge  jingling  spurs,  and  the  ornamental  trap 
pings  of  their  deep  saddles — all  these  combined  with  the 
perfect  manege  of  their  dashing  steeds,  and  the  wild  excite 
ment  of  the  chase  in  which  they  were  engaged,  rendered 
them  objects  of  picturesque  interest ;  and  we  halted  a  mo 
ment  to  witness  the  result. 

The  bull  came  rushing  past  within  fifty  paces  of  where  we 
stood,  snorting  with  rage,  and  tossing  his  horns  high  in  the 
air— his  pursuers  close  upon  him.  At  this  moment  one  of 


150  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  vaqueros  launched  his  lazo,  which,  floating  gracefully 
out,  settled  down  over  one  horn.  Seeing  this,  the  vaquero 
did  not  turn  his  horse,  but  sat  facing  the  bull,  and  permitted 
the  rope  to  run  out.  It  was  soon  carried  taut ;  and,  scarcely 
checking  the  animal,  it  slipped  along  the  smooth  horn  and 
spun  out  into  the  air.  The  cast  was  a  failure. 

The  second  vaquero  now  flung  his  lazo  with  more  success. 
The  heavy  loop,  skilfully  projected,  shot  out  like  an  arrow, 
and  embraced  both  horns  in  its  curving  noose.  With  the 
quickness  of  thought  the  vaquero  wheeled  his  horse,  buried 
his  spurs  deep  into  his  flanks,  and,  pressing  his  thighs  to 
the  saddle,  galloped  off  in  an  opposite  direction.  The  bull 
dashed  on  as  before.  In  a  moment  the  lariat  was  stretched. 
The  sudden  jerk  caused  the  thong  to  vibrate  like  a  bowstring, 
and  the  bull  lay  motionless  on  the  grass.  The  shock  almost 
dragged  the  mustang  upon  his  flanks. 

The  bull  lay  for  some  time  where  he  had  fallen ;  then, 
making  an  effort,  he  sprang  up,  and  looked  around  him  with 
a  bewildered  air.  He  was  not  yet  conquered.  His  eye, 
flashing  with  rage,  rolled  around  until  it  fell  upon  the  rope 
leading  from  his  horns  to  the  saddle ;  and,  suddenly 
lowering  his  head,  with  a  furious  roar  he  rushed  upon  the 
vaquero. 

The  latter,  who  had  been  expecting  this  attack,  drove  the 
spurs  into  his  mustang,  and  started  in  full  gallop  across  the 
prairie.  On  followed  the  bull,  sometimes  shortening  the 
distance  between  him  and  his  enemy,  while  at  intervals  the 
lazo,  tightening,  would  almost  jerk  him  upon  his  head. 

After  running  for  a  hundred  yards  or  so,  the  vaquero  sud 
denly  wheeled  and  galloped  out  at  right  angles  to  his  former 
course.  Before  the  bull  could  turn  himself  the  rope  again 
tightened  with  a  jerk  and  flung  him  upon  his  side.  This 
time  he  lay  but  an  instant,  and,  again  springing  to  his  feet, 
he  dashed  off  in  fresh  pursuit. 

The  second  vaquero  now  came  up,  and,  as  the  bull  rushed 


ONE   WAY   OF   TAMING   A   BULL. 

past,  launched  his  lazo  after,  and  snared  him  around  one  of 
the  legs,  drawing  the  noose  upon  his  ankle. 

This  time  the  bull  was  flung  completely  over,  and  with  such 
a  violent  shock  that  he  lay  as  if  dead.  One  of  the  vaqueros 
then  rode  cautiously  up,  and,  bending  over  in  the  saddle, 
unfastened  both  of  the  lariats,  and  set  the  animal  free. 

The  bull  rose  to  his  feet,  and,  looking  around  in  the  most 
cowed  and  pitiful  manner,  walked  quietly  off,  driven  un 
resistingly  towards  the  corral. 

We  commenced  descending  into  the  plain,  and  the  va 
queros,  catching  a  glimpse  of  our  uniforms,  simultaneously 
reined  up  their  mustangs  with  a  sudden  jerk.  We  could  see 
from  their  gestures  that  they  were  frightened  at  the  approach 
of  our  party.  This  was  not  strange,  as  the  major,  mounted 
upon  his  great  gaunt  charger,  loomed  up  against  the  blue 
sky  like  a  colossus.  The  Mexicans,  doubtless,  had  never 
seen  anything  in  the  way  of  horseflesh  bigger  than  the  mus 
tangs  they  were  riding  :  and  this  apparition,  with  the  long 
line  Of  uniformed  soldiers  descending  the  hill,  was  calculated 
to  alarm  them  severely. 

"Them  fellers  is  gwine  to  put,  cap'n,"  said  Lincoln, 
touching  his  cap  respectfully. 

"  You're  right,  sergeant,"  I  replied,  "  and  without  them 
we  might  as  well  think  of  catching  the  wind  as  one  of  these 
mules." 

"  If  yer'll  just  let  me  draw  a  bead  on  the  near  mustang, 
I  kin  kripple  him  'ithout  hurtin'  the  thing  thet's  in  the 
saddle." 

"  It  would  be  a  pity.  No,  sergeant,"  answered  I.  "  I 
might  stop  them  by  sending  forward  the  guide,"  I  continued, 
addressing  myself  rather  than  Lincoln  ;  "but  no,  it  will  not 
do  ;  there  must  be  the  appearance  of  force.  I  have  promised. 
Major,  would  you  have  the  goodness  to  ride  forward,  a*d 
prevent  those  fellows  from  galloping  off?" 

"  Lord,  captain  1 "  said  the  major,  with  a  terrified  look, 


152  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"you  don't    think  I  could  overtake  such  Arabs  as  them. 
Hercules  is  slow — slow  as  a  crab." 

Now,  this  was  a  lie,  and  I  knew  it !  for  Hercules,  the 
major's  great,  raw-boned  steed,  was  as  fleet  as  the  wind. 

"  Then,  major,  perhaps  you  will  allow  Mr.  Clayley  to 
make  trial  of  him,"  I  suggested.  "  He  is  light  weight.  I 
assure  you  that,  without  the  assistance  of  these  Mexicans, 
we  shall  not  be  able  to  catch  a  single  mule." 

The  major,  seeing  that  all  eyes  were  fixed  upon  him, 
suddenly  straightened  himself  up  in  his  stirrups,  and,  swell 
ing  with  courage  and  importance,  declared,  "  If  that  was  the 
case,  he  would  go  himself."  Then,  calling  upon  "  Doc  "  to 
follow  him,  he  struck  the  spurs  into  Hercules,  and  rode  for 
ward  at  a  gallop. 

It  proved  that  this  was  just  the  very  course  to  start  the 
vaqueros,  as  the  major  had  inspired  them  with  more  terror 
than  all  the  rest  of  our  party.  They  showed  evident  symp 
toms  of  taking  to  their  heels,  and  I  shouted  to  them  at  the 
top  of  my  voice  : 

"  Alto  •'  somos  amigos  "  (Halt !  we  are  friends). 

The  words  were  scarcely  out  of  my  mouth  when  the 
Mexicans  drove  the  rowels  into  their  mustangs,  and  galloped 
off  as  if  for  their  lives  in  the  direction  of  the  corral. 

The  major  followed  at  a  slashing  pace,  Doc  bringing  up  the 
rear ;  while  the  basket  which  the  latter  carried  over  his  arm 
began  to  eject  its  contents,  scattering  the  commissariat  of 
the  major  over  the  prairie.  Fortunately,  the  hospitality  of 
Don  Cosme'  had  already  provided  a  substitute  for  this 
loss. 

After  a  run  of  about  half  a  mile  Hercules  began  to  gain 
rapidly  upon  the  mustangs,  whereas  Doc  was  losing  distance 
in  an  inverse  ratio.  The  Mexicans  had  got  within  a  couple 
of  hundred  of  yards  of  the  rancho,  the  major  not  over  a  hun 
dred  in  their  rear,  when  I  observed  the  latter  suddenly  pull 
up,  and,  jerking  the  long  body  of  Hercules  round,  commence 


ONE   WAY   OF  TAMING   A   BULL. 


153 


riding  briskly  back,  all  the  while  looking  over  his  shoulders 
towards  the  inclosure. 

The  vaqueros  did  not  halt  at  the  corral,  as  we  expected, 
but  kept  across  the  prairie,  and  disappeared  among  the  trees 
on  the  opposite  side. 

"  What  the  deuce  has  got  into  Blossom  ? "  inquired 
Clayley ;  "  he  was  clearly  gaining  upon  them.  The  old 
bloat  must  have  burst  a  blood-vessel." 


Apache  Indians  Lassoing  Wild  Horses. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  BRUSH  WITH  THE  GUERILLEROS. 

HY,  what  was  the 
matter,  major  ?  " 
inquired  I,  as  the 
major    rode    up 
blowing  like  a  porpoise. 
"  Matter  !  "  replied  he, 
with  one  of    his    direst 
imprecations — "  matter, 
indeed !     You  wouldn't 
have   me  ride  plump  in 
to    their    works,    would 
you  ? " 

"  Works  !  "  echoed  I, 
in   some  surprise  ;  "  what  do  you  mean  by  that,  major  ?  " 

"  I  mean  works — that's   all.     There's  a  stockade  ten  feet 
high,  as  full  as  it  can  stick  of  them." 
"  Full  of  what  ?  " 

"  Full  of  the  enemy — full  of  rancheros.     I  saw  their  ugly 
copper  faces — a  dozen  of  them  at  least — looking  at  me  over 
the  pickets  ;  and,  sure  as  heaven,  if  I  had  gone  ten  paces 
farther  they  would  have  riddled  me  like  a  target." 
154 


A    BRUSH    WITH    THE    GUERILLEROS.         155 

"  But,  major,  they  were  only  peaceable  rancheros — cow 
herds — nothing  more." 

"  Cowherds  !  I  tell  you,  captain,  that  those  two  mahogany- 
colored  devils  that  galloped  off  had  a  sword  apiece  strapped 
to  their  saddles.  I  saw  them  when  I  got  near  :  they  were 
decoys  to  bring  us  up  to  that  stockade — I'll  bet  my  life 
upon  it !  " 

"  Well,  major,"  rejoined  I,  "they're  far  enough  from  the 
stockade  now ;  and  the  best  we  can  do  in  their  absence  will 
be  to  examine  it,  and  see  what  chances  it  may  offer  to 
corral  these  mules,  for,  unless  they  can  be  driven  into  it,  we 
shall  have  to  return  to  camp  empty-handed." 

Saying  this,  I  moved  forward  with  the  men,  the  major 
keeping  in  the  rear. 

We  soon  reached  the  formidable  stockade,  which  proved 
to  be  nothing  more  than  a  regular  corral,  such  as  are  found 
on  the  great  haciendas  de  ganados  (cattle  farms)  of  Spanish 
America.  In  one  corner  was  a  house  constructed  of  upright 
poles,  with  a  thatch  of  palm-leaves.  This  contained  the 
lazos,  alparejas,  saddles,  etc.  of  the  vaqueros  ;  and  in  the 
door  of  this  house  stood  a  decrepit  old  zambo,  the  only  human 
thing  about  the  place.  The  zambo's  woolly  head  over  the 
pickets  had  reflected  itself  a  dozen  times  on  the  major's 
terrified  imagination. 

After  examining  the  corral,  I  found  it  excellent  for  our 
purpose,  provided  we  could  only  succeed  in  driving  the 
mules  into  it ;  and  throwing  open  the  bars,  we  proceeded  to 
make  the  attempt.  The  mules  were  browsing  quietly  at  the 
distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  corraL 

Marching  past  the  drove,  I  deployed  the  company  in  the 
form  of  a  semicircle,  forming  a  complete  cordon  round  the 
animals ;  then,  closing  in  upon  them  slowly,  the  soldiers 
commenced  driving  them  towards  the  pen. 

We  were  somewhat  awkward  at  this  new  duty ;  but  by 
means  of  a  shower  of  small  rocks,  pieces  of  bois  de  v 


156  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

and  an  occasional  "  heigh,  heigh  !  "  the  mules  were  soon  ir. 
motion  and  in  the  required  direction. 

The  major,  with  Doc  and  little  Jack,  being  the  mounted 
men  of  the  party,  did  great  service,  especially  Jack,  who  was 
highly  delighted  with  this  kind  of  thing,  and  kept  Twidget 
in  a  constant  gallop  from  right  to  left. 

As  the  mulada  neared  the  gates  of  the  enclosure,  the  two 
extremes  of  the  semi-circumference  gradually  approached 
each  other,  closing  in  toward  the  corral. 

The  mules  were  already  within  fifty  paces  of  the  entrance 
the  soldiers  coming  up  about  two  hundred  yards  in  the  rear, 
when  a  noise  like  the  tramping  of  many  hoofs  arrested  our 
attention.  The  quick  sharp  note  of  a  cavalry  bugle  rang 
out  across  the  plain,  followed  by  a  wild  yell,  as  though  a 
band  of  Indian  warriors  were  swooping  down  upon  the  foe. 

In  an  instant  every  eye  were  turned,  and  we  beheld  with 
consternation  a  cloud  of  horsemen  springing  out  from  the 
woods,  and  dashing  along  in  the  headlong  velocity  of  a  charge. 

It  required  but  a  single  glance  to  satisfy  me  that  they 
were  guerilleros.  Their  picturesque  attire,  their  peculiar 
arms,  and  the  parti-colored  bannerets  upon  their  lances  were 
not  to  be  mistaken. 

We  stood  for  a  moment  as  if  thunder-struck ;  a  sharp  cry 
rose  along  the  deployed  line. 

I  signaled  to  the  bugler,  who  gave  the  command,  "  Rally 
upon  the  center  !  " 

As  if  by  one  impulse,  the  whole  line  closed  in  with  a  run 
upon  the  gates  of  the  enclosure.  The  mules,  impelled  by 
the  sudden  rush,  dashed  forward  pell-mell,  blocking  up  the 
entrance. 

On  came  the  guerilleros,  with  streaming  pennons  and 
lances  couched,  shouting  their  wild  cries  : 

"  Andela  J  andela!  Mueran  los  Yankees!"  (Forward, 
forward  !  Death  to  the  Yankees  !) 

The  foremost  of  the  soldiers  were  already  upon  the  heels 


A   BRUSH    WITH    THE   GUERILLEROS. 

of  the  crowded  mules,  pricking  them  with  bayonets.  The 
animals  began  to  kick  and  plunge  in  the  most  furious  mannei 
causing  a  new  danger  in  front. 

"  Face  about — fire  !  "  I  commanded  at  this  moment. 

An  irregular  but  well-directed  volley  emptied  half  a  dozen 
saddles,  and  for  a  moment  staggered  the  charging  line  ;  but, 
before  my  men  could  reload,  the  guerilleros  had  leaped  clear 
over  their  fallen  comrades,  and  were  swooping  down  with 
cries  of  vengeance.  A  dozen  of  their  bravest  men  were 
already  within  shot  range,  firing  their  escopettes  and  pistols 
as  they  came  down. 

Our  position  had  now  grown  fearfully  critical.  The  mules 
still  blocked  up  the  entrance,  preventing  the  soldiers  from 
taking  shelter  behind  the  stockade  ;  and  before  we  could  re 
load,  the  rearmost  would  be  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy's  lances. 

Seizing  the  major's  servant  by  the  arm,  I  dragged  him  from 
his  horse,  and,  leaping  into  the  saddle,  flung  myself  upon  the 
rear.  Half  a  dozen  of  my  bravest  men,  among  whom  were 
Lincoln,  Chane,  and  the  Frenchman  Raoul,  rallied  around 
the  horse,  determined  to  receive  the  cavalry  charge  on  the 
short  bayonets  of  their  rifles.  Their  pieces  were  all  empty  ! 

At  this  moment  my  eye  rested  on  one  of  the  soldiers,  a 
brave  but  slow-footed  German,  who  was  still  twenty  paces  in 
the  rear  of  his  comrades,  making  every  effort  to  come  up. 
Two  of  the  guerilleros  were  rushing  upon  him  with  couched 
lances.  I  galloped  out  to  his  rescue  ;  but  before  I  could 
reach  him  the  lance  of  the  foremost  Mexican  crashed 
through  the  soldier's  skull,  shivering  it  like  a  shell.  The 
barb  and  bloody  pennon  came  out  on  the  opposite  side. 
The  man  was  lifted  from  the  ground,  and  carried  several 
paces  upon  the  shaft  of  the  lance. 

The  guerillero  dropped  his  entangled  weapon;  but  be 
fore  he  could  draw  any  other,  the  sword  of  Victoria  was 
through  his  heart. 

His  comrade  turned  upon  me  with  a  cry  of  vengeance, 


158  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  had  not  yet  disengaged  my  weapon  to  ward  off  the  thrust. 
The  lance's  point  was  within  three  feet  of  my  breast,  when 
a  sharp  crack  was  heard  from  behind ;  the  lancer  threw  out 
his  arms  with  a  spasmodic  jerk  ;  his  long  spear  was  whirled 
into  the  air,  and  he  fell  back  in  his  saddle,  dead. 

"  Well  done,  Jack !  fire  and  scissors  !  who  showed  yer 
that  trick  ?  whooray  !  whoop !  "  and  I  heard  the  voice  of 
Lincoln,  in  a  sort  of  Indian  yell,  rising  high  above  the  din. 

At  this  moment  a  guerillo,  mounted  upon  a  powerful  black 
mustang,  came  galloping  down.  This  man,  unlike  most  of 
his  comrades,  was  armed  with  the  saber,  which  he  evidently 
wielded  with  great  dexterity.  He  came  dashing  on,  his 
white  teeth  set  in  a  fierce  smile. 

"  Ha  !  Monsieur  le  Capitaine,"  shouted  he,  as  he  came 
near,  "  still  alive  ?  I  thought  I  had  finished  you  on  Lobos  ; 
not  too  late  yet." 

I  recognized  the  deserter,  Dubrosc  ! 

"Villain  !  "  I  ejaculated,  too  full  of  rage  to  utter  another 
word. 

We  met  at  fu  1  speed,  but  with  my  unmanageable  horse  I 
could  only  ward  off  his  blow  as  he  swept  past  me.  We 
wheeled  again,  and  galloped  towards  each  other — both  of  us 
impelled  by  hatred  ;  but  my  horse  again  shied,  frightened 
by  the  gleaming  saber  of  my  antagonist.  Before  I  could 
rein  him  round,  he  had  brought  me  close  to  the  pickets  of 
the  corral ;  and  on  turning  to  meet  the  deserter,  I  found 
that  we  were  separated  by  a  band  of  dark  objects. 

It  was  a  detachment  of  mules,  that  had  backed  from  the 
gates  of  the  corral  and  were  escaping  to  the  open  plain. 
We  reined  up,  eyeing  each  other  with  impatient  vengeance  ; 
but  the  bullets  of  my  men  began  to  whistle  from  the 
pickets ;  and  Dubrosc,  with  a  threatening  gesture,  wheeled 
his  horse  and  galloped  off  to  his  comrades.  They  had  re 
tired  beyond  range,  and  were  halted  in  groups  upon  the 
prairie,  chafing  with  disappointment  and  rage. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


A  HERCULEAN  FEAT. 


HE    whole     skirmish 
did   not   occupy  two 
minutes.     It  was  like 
most  charges  of  Mex 
ican    cavalry — a   dash,  a   wild 
yelling,    half   a    dozen    empty 
saddles,  and  a  hasty  retreat. 

The  guerilleros  had  swerved 
off  as  soon  as  they  perceived 
that  we  had  gained  a  safe  po 
sition,  and  the  bullets  of  our 
reloaded  pieces  began  to  whis 
tle  around  their  ears.  Du- 
brosc  alone,  in  his  impetuosity,  galloped  close  up  to  the  en 
closure  ;  and  it  was  only  on  perceiving  himself  alone,  and 
the  folly  of  exposing  himself  thus  fruitlessly,  that  he 
wheeled  round  and  followed  the  Mexicans.  The  latter  were 
now  out  upon  the  prairie,  beyond  the  range  of  small-arms, 
grouped  around  their  wounded  comrades,  or  galloping  to 
and  fro,  with  yells  of  disappointed  vengeance. 

*59 


l6o  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  entered  the  corral,  where  most  of  my  men  had  sheltered 
themselves  behind  the  stockades.  Little  Jack  sat  upon 
Twidget,  reloading  his  rifle,  and  trying  to  appear  insensible 
to  the  flattering  encomiums  that  hailed  him  from  all  sides. 
A  compliment  from  Lincoln,  however,  was  too  much  for 
Jack,  and  a  proud  smile  was  seen  upon  the  face  of  the  boy. 

"  Thank  you,  Jack,"  said  I,  as  I  passed  him  ;  "I  see  you 
can  use  a  rifle  to  some  purpose." 

Jack  held  down  his  head,  without  saying  a  word,  and  ap 
peared  to  be  very  busy  about  the  lock  of  his  piece. 

In  the  skirmish,  Lincoln  had  received  the  scratch  of  a 
lance,  at  which  he  was  chafing  in  his  own  peculiar  way,  and 
vowing  revenge  upon  the  giver.  It  might  be  said  that  he 
had  taken  this,  as  he  had  driven  his  short  bayonet  through 
his  antagonist's  arm,  and  sent  him  off  with  this  member 
hanging  by  his  side. 

But  the  hunter  was  not  content ;  and,  as  he  retired  sul 
lenly  into  the  enclosure,  he  turned  round,  and,  shaking  his 
fist  at  the  Mexican,  muttered  savagely : 

"  Yer  darned  skunk  !  I'll  know  yer  agin.  See  if  I  don't 
git  yer  yit !  " 

Gravemtz,  a  Prussian  soldier,  had  also  been  too  near  a 
lance,  and  several  others  had  received  slight  wounds.  The 
German  was  the  only  one  killed.  He  was  still  lying  out  on 
the  plain,  where  he  had  fallen,  the  long  shaft  of  the  lance 
standing  up  out  of  his  skull.  Not  ten  feet  distant  lay  the 
corpse  of  his  slayer,  glistening  in  its  gaudy  and  picturesque 
attire. 

The  other  guerillero,  as  he  fell,  had  noosed  one  of  his 
legs  in  the  lazo  that  hung  from  the  horn  of  his  saddle,  and 
was  now  dragged  over  the  prairie  after  his  wild  and  snort 
ing  mustang.  As  the  animal  swerved,  f  at  every  jerk  his 
limber  body  bounded  to  the  distance  of  twenty  feet,  where 
it  would  lie  motionless  until  slung  into  the  air  by  a  fresh 
pluck  on  the  lazo. 


A    HERCULEAN    FEAT.  l6l 

As  we  were  watching  this  horrid  spectacle,  several  of  the 
guerilleros  galloped  after,  while  half  a  dozen  others  were 
observed  spurring  their  steeds  towards  the  rear  of  the  corral. 
On  looking  in  this  direction  we  perceived  a  huge  red  horse, 
with  an  empty  saddle,  scouring  at  full  speed  across  the  prairie. 
A  single  glance  showed  us  that  this  horse  was  Hercules. 

"  Good  heavens  !  the  major  !  " 

"Safe  somewhere,"  replied  Clayley ;  "but  where  the 
deuce  can  he  be  ?  He  is  not  hors  de  combat  on  the  plain,  or 
one  could  see  him  even  ten  miles  off.  Ha !  ha  !  ha  ! — look 
yonder ! " 

Clayley,  yelling  with  laughter,  pointed  to  the  corner  of 
the  rancho. 

Though  after  a  scene  so  tragic,  I  could  hardly  refrain 
from  joining  Clayley  in  his  boisterous  mirth.  Hanging  by 
the  belt  of  his  saber  upon  a  high  picket  was  the  major,  kick 
ing  and  struggling  with  all  his  might.  The  waist-strap, 
tightly  drawn  by  the  bulky  weight  of  the  wearer,  separated 
his  body  into  two  vast  rotundities,  while  his  face  was  dis 
torted  and  purple  with  the  agony  of  suspense  and  suspen 
sion.  He  was  loudly  bellowing  for  help,  and  several  sol 
diers  were  running  towards  him  ;  but,  from  the  manner  in 
which  he  jerked  his  body  up,  and  screwed  his  neck,  so  as 
to  enable  him  to  look  over  the  stockade,  it  was  evident  that 
the  principal  cause  of  his  uneasiness  lay  on  the  "  other  side 
of  the  fence." 

The  truth  was,  the  major,  on  the  first  appearance  of  the 
enemy,  had  galloped  towards  the  rear  of  the  corral,  and, 
finding  no  entrance,  had  thrown  himself  from  the  back  of 
Hercules  upon  the  stockade,  intending  to  climb  over ;  but, 
having  caught  a  glance  of  some  guerilleros,  he  had  sud 
denly  let  go  his  bridle,  and  attempted  to  precipitate  himself 
into  the  corral. 

His  waist-belt,  catching  upon  a  sharp  picket,  held  him 
suspended  midway,  still  under  the  impression  that  the  Mex- 
II 


l62  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

leans  were  close  upon  his  rear.  He  was  soon  unhooked, 
and  now  waddled  across  the  corral,  uttering  a  thick  and  con 
tinuous  volley  of  his  choicest  oaths. 

Our  eyes  were  now  directed  towards  Hercules.  The 
horsemen  had  closed  upon  him  within  fifty  yards,  and  were 
winding  their  long  lazos  in  the  air.  The  major,  to  all  ap 
pearance,  had  lost  his  horse. 

After  galloping  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  Hercules  sud 
denly  halted,  and  threw  up  the  trailing  bridle  with  a  loud 
neigh.  His  pursuers,  coming  up,  flung  out  their  lazos. 
Two  of  these,  settling  over  his  head  noosed  him  around  the 
neck.  The  huge  brute,  as  if  aware  of  the  necessity  of  a 
desperate  effort  to  free  himself,  dropped  his  nose  to  the 
ground,  and  stretched  himself  out  in  full  gallop 

The  lariats,  one  by  one  tightening  over  his  bony  chest, 
snapped  like  threads,  almost  jerking  the  mustangs  from  their 
feet.  The  long  fragments  sailed  out  like  streamers  as  he 
careered  across  the  prairie,  far  ahead  of  his  yelling  pursuers. 

He  now  made  directly  for  the  corral.  Several  of  the 
soldiers  ran  towards  the  stockade,  in  order  to  seize  the  bri 
dle  when  he  should  come  up  ;  but  Hercules,  spying  his  old 
comrade — the  horse  of  the  "  doctor,  "  — within  the  enclosure, 
first  neighed  loudly,  and  then,  throwing  all  his  nerve  into  the 
effort,  sprang  high  over  the  picket  fence. 

A  cheer  rose  from  the  men,  who  had  watched  with  interest 
his  efforts  to  escape,  and  who  now  welcomed  him  as  if  he  had 
been  one  of  themselves. 

"Two  months'  pay  for  your  horse,  major  !  "  cried  Clayley. 

"  Och,  the  bewtiful  baste  !  He's  worth  the  full  of  his  skin 
in  goold.  By  my  sowl !  the  capten  ought  to  have  'im."  ejac 
ulated  Chane  ;  and  various  other  encomiums  were  uttered 
in  honor  of  Hercules. 

Meanwhile,  his  pursuers,  not  daring  to  approach  the  stock 
ade,  drew  off  towards  their  comrades,  with  gestures  of  dis 
appointment  and  chagrin. 


A  Bridge  in  Spanish  America 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

RUNNING   THE   GAUNTLET. 

BEGAN  to  reflect  upon  the  real 
danger  of  our  situation — corralled 
upon  a  naked  prairie,  ten  miles  from 
camp,  with  no  prospect  of  escape. 
I  knew  that  we  could  defend  our 
selves  against  twice  the  number 
of  our  cowardly  adversaries  ;  they  would  never  dare 
to  come  within  range  of  our  rifles.  But  how  to  get  out  ? 
how  to  cross  the  open  plain  ?  Fifty  infantry  against  four 
times  that  number  of  mounted  men — lancers  at  that — and 
not  a  bush  to  shelter  the  foot  soldier  from  the  long  spear 
and  the  iron  hoof  1 

The  nearest  motte  was  half  a  mile  off,  and  that  another  half 
a  mile  from  the  edge  of  the  woods.  Even  could  the  motte  be 
reached  by  a  desperate  run,  it  would  be  impossible  to  gain 
the  woods,  as  the  enemy  would  certainly  cordon  our  new 

163 


164  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

position,  and  thus  completely  cut  us  off.  At  present  they 
had  halted  in  a  body  about  four  hundred  yards  from  the  cor 
ral  ;  and,  feeling  secure  of  having  us  in  a  trap,  most  of  them 
had  dismounted,  and  were  running  out  their  mustangs  upon 
their  lazos.  It  was  plainly  their  determination  to  take  us 
by  siege. 

To  add  to  our  desperate  circumstances,  we  discovered  that 
there  was  not  a  drop  of  water  in  the  corral.  The  thirst  that 
follows  a  fight  had  exhausted  the  scanty  supply  of  our  can 
teens,  and  the  heat  was  excessive. 

As  I  was  running  over  in  my  mind  the  perils  of  our  posi 
tion,  my  eye  rested  upon  Lincoln,  who  stood  with  his  piece 
at  a  carry,  his  left  hand  crossed  over  his  breast,  in  the  at 
titude  of  a  soldier  waiting  to  receive  orders. 

"  Well,  sergeant,  what  is  it  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Will  yer  allow  me,  cap'n,  ter  take  a  couple  o'  files,  and 
fetch  in  the  Dutchman  ?  The  men  'ud  like  ter  put  a  sod 
upon  him  afore  them  thievin'  robbers  kin  git  at  him." 

"Certainly.  But  will  you  be  safe?  He's  at  some  dis 
tance  from  the  stockade." 

"I  don't  think  them  fellers  '11  kum  down — they've  had 
enuf  o'  it  just  now.  We'll  run  out  quick,  and  the  boys  kin 
kiver  us  with  their  fire." 

"  Very  well,  then  ;  set  about  it." 

Lincoln  returned  to  the  company,  and  selected  four  of  the 
most  active  of  his  men,  with  whom  he  proceeded  towards  the 
entrance.  I  ordered  the  soldiers  to  throw  themselves  on 
that  side  of  the  enclosure,  and  cover  the  party  in  case  of  an 
attack  ;  but  none  was  made.  A  movement  was  visible 
among  the  Mexicans,  as  they  perceived  Lincoln  and  his 
party  rush  out  towards  the  body  ;  but,  seeing  they  would  be 
too  late  to  prevent  them  from  carrying  it  off,  they  wisely 
kept  beyond  the  reach  of  the  American  rifles. 

The  body  of  the  German  was  brought  into  the  enclosure 
and  buried  with  due  ceremony,  although  his  comrades  be- 


RUNNING  THE   GAUNTLET.  165 

lieved  that  before  many  hours  it  would  be  torn  from  its  "  war 
rior  grave,"  dragged  forth  to  feed  the  coyote'  and  vulture,  and 
his  bones  left  to  whiten  upon  the  naked  prairie.  Which  of 
us  knew  that  it  might  not  in  a  few  hours  be  his  own  fate  ? 

"  Gentlemen,  "  said  I  to  my  brother  officers,  as  we  came 
together,  "  can  you  suggest  any  mode  of  escape  ? " 

"  Our  only  chance  is  to  fight  them  where  we  stand.  There 
are  four  to  one,  "  replied  Clayley. 

"  We  have  no  other  chance,  captain,"  said  Oakes,  with  a 
shake  of  the  head. 

"  But  it  is  not  their  intention  to  fight  us.  Their  design  is 
to  starve  us.  See  !  they  are  picketing  their  horses,  knowing 
they  can  easily  overtake  us  if  we  attempt  to  leave  the  en 
closure." 

"  Cannot  we  move  in  a  hollow  square  ?  " 

"  But  what  is  a  hollow  square  of  fifty  men  ?  and  against 
four  times  that  number  of  cavalry,  with  lances  and  lazos  ? 
No,  no  ;  they  would  shiver  it  with  a  single  charge.  Our 
only  hope  is,  that  we  may  be  able  to  hold  out  until  our  ab 
sence  from  camp  may  bring  a  detachment  to  our  relief. 

"  And  why  not  send  for  it  ? "  inquired  the  major,  who  had 
scarcely  been  asked  for  his  advice,  but  whose  wits  had  been 
sharpened  by  the  extremity  of  his  danger.  "  Why  not  send 
for  a  couple  of  regiments  ?  " 

"  How  are  we  to  send,  major  ?  "  asked  Clayley,  looking  on 
the  major's  proposition  as  ludicrous  under  the  circumstances. 

"  Have  you  a  pigeon  in  your  pocket  ?  " 

"  Why  ? — how  ?  There's  Hercules  runs  like  a  hare  ;  stick 
one  of  your  fellows  in  the  saddle,  and  I'll  warrant  him  to 
camp  in  an  hour." 

"  You  are  right,  major,"  said  I,  catching  at  the  major's 
proposal  ;  "  thank  you  for  the  thought.  If  he  could  only 
pass  that  point  in  the  woods !  I  hate  it,  but  it  is  our  only 
chance.  * 

The  last  sentence  I  muttered  to  myself. 


l66  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Why  do  you  hate  it,  captain  ?  "  inquired  the  major,  who 
had  overheard  me. 

"You  might  not  understand  my  reasons,  major." 

I  was  thinking  upon  the  disgrace  of  being  trapped  as  I 
was,  and  on  my  first  scout,  too. 

"  Who  will  volunteer  to  ride  an  express  to  camp  ?  "  I  in 
quired,  addressing  the  men. 

Twenty  of  them  leaped  out  simultaneously. 

"  Which  of  you  remembers  the  course,  that  you  could  fol 
low  it  in  a  gallop  ?  "  I  asked. 

The  Frenchman,  Raoul,  stood  forth,  touching  his  cap. 

"  I  know  a  shorter  one,  captain,  by  Mata  Cordera." 

"  Ha !  Raoul,  you  know  the  country  ?  You  are  the 
man." 

I  now  remembered  that  this  man  joined  us  at  Sacrificios, 
just  after  the  landing  of  the  expedition.  He  had  been  living 
in  the  country  previous  to  our  arrival,  and  was  well  ac 
quainted  with  it. 

"  Are  you  a  good  horseman  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  I  have  seen  five  years  of  cavalry  service." 

"True.  Do  you  think  you  can  pass  them?  They  are 
nearly  in  your  track." 

"  As  we  entered  the  prairie,  captain  ;  but  my  route  will  lie 
past  this  motte  to  the  left." 

"  That  will  give  you  several  points.  Do  not  stop  a  mo 
ment  after  you  have  mounted,  or  they  will  take  the  hint  and 
intercept  you." 

"  With  the  red  horse  there  will  be  no  danger,  captain." 

"  Leave  your  gun  ;  take  these  pistols.  Ha !  you  have  a 
pair  in  the  holsters.  See  if  they  are  loaded.  These  spurs — 
so — cut  loose  that  heavy  piece  from  the  saddle  ;  the  cloak, 
too  ;  you  must  have  nothing  to  encumber  you.  When  you 
come  near  the  camp,  leave  your  horse  in  the  chapparal. 
Give  this  to  Colonel  C ." 

I  wrote  the  following  words  on  a  scrap  of  paper  • 


RUNNING  THE   GAUNTLET.  167 

"  DEAR  COLONEL, 

"Two  hundred  will  be  enough.  Could  they  be  sto- 
Jen  out  after  night  ?  If  so,  all  will  be  well — if  it  gets 
abroad  .... 

"  Yours, 
"  H.  H." 

As  I  handed  the  paper  to  Raoul,  I  whispered  in  his 
ear — 

"  To  Colonel  C 's  own  hand.  Privately,  Raoul — pri 
vately,  do  you  hear  ?  " 

Colonel  C was  my  friend,  and  I  knewt  hat  he  would 

send  a  private  party  to  my  rescue. 

"  I  understand,  captain,"  was  the  answer  of  Raoul. 

"  Ready,  then  !  now  mount  and  be  off." 

The  Frenchman  sprang  nimbly  to  the  saddle,  and,  driving 
his  spurs  into  the  flanks  of  his  horse,  shot  out  from  the  pen 
like  a  bolt  of  lightning. 

For  the  first  three  hundred  yards  or  so  he  galloped  directly 
towards  the  guerilleros.  These  stood  leaning  upon  their 
saddles,  or  lay  stretched  along  the  greensward.  Seeing  a 
single  horseman  riding  towards  them,  few  of  them  moved, 
believing  him  to  be  some  messenger  sent  to  treat  for  our 
surrender. 

Suddenly  the  Frenchman  swerved  from  his  direct  course, 
and  went  sweeping  around  them  in  the  curve  of  an  ellipse. 

They  now  perceived  the  ruse,  and  with  a  yell  leaped  into 
their  saddles.  Some  fired  their  escopettes  ;  others,  unwind 
ing  their  lazos,  started  in  pursuit. 

Raoul  had  by  this  time  set  Hercules's  head  for  the  clump 
of  timber  which  he  had  taken  as  his  guide,  and  now  kept  on 
in  a  track  almost  rectilinear.  Could  he  but  reach  the  motte 
or  clump  in  safety,  he  knew  that  there  were  straggling  trees 
beyond,  and  these  would  secure  him  in  some  measure  from 
the  lazos  of  his  pursuers. 


168 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


We  stood  watching  his  progress  with  breathless  silence. 
Our  lives  depended  on  his  escape.  A  crowd  of  the  gueril- 
leros  was  between  him  and  us ;  but  we  could  still  see  the 
green  jacket  of  the  soldier,  and  the  great  red  flanks  of  Her 
cules,  as  he  bounded  on  towards  the  edge  of  the  woods. 
Then  we  saw  the  lazos  launched  out,  and  spinning  around 
Raoul's  head  ;  and  straggling  shots  were  fired ;  and  we 
fancied  at  one  time  that  oar  comrade  sprang  up  in  the  saddle, 
as  if  he  had  been  hit.  Then  he  appeared  again,  all  safe, 
rounding  the  little  islet  of  timber,  and  the  next  moment  he 
was  gone  from  our  sight.  There  followed  a  while  of  sus 
pense — of  terrible  suspense — for  the  motte  hid  from  view 
both  pursuers  and  pursued.  Every  eye  was  straining  to 
wards  the  point  where  the  horseman  had  disappeared,  when 
Lincoln,  who  had  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  rancho,  cried 
out: 

"  He's  safe,  cap'n  !  The  dod-rotted  skunks  air  kummin' 
'ithout  him." 

It  was  true.  A  minute  after,  the  horsemen  appeared 
round  the  motte,  riding  slowly  back,  with  that  air  and  atti 
tude  that  betoken  disappointment. 


Modern  Conveniences  of  Travel  in  Spanish  America. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


HE  escape  of 
Raoul  and  Her 
cules  produced 
an  effect  almost 
magical  upon  the  enemy. 
Instead  of  the  listless  de 
fensive  attitude  lately  as 
sumed,  the  guerilleros  were 
now  in  motion  like  a  nest 
of  roused  hornets,  scouring 
over  the  plain  and  yelling 
like  a  war-party  of  Indians. 
They  did  not  surround  the  corral,  as  I  had  anticipated 
they  would.  They  had  no  fear  that  we  should  attempt  to 
escape  ;  but  they  knew  that,  instead  of  the  three  days  in 
which  they  expected  to  kill  us  with  thirst  at  their  leisure, 
they  had  not  three  hours  left  to  accomplish  that  object. 
Raoul  would  reach  the  camp  in  little  more  than  an  hour's 
time,  and  either  infantry  or  mounted  men  would  be  on  them 
in  two  hours  after. 

J69 


170  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

Scouts  were  seen  galloping  off  in  the  direction  taken  05 
Raoul,  and  others  dashed  into  the  woods  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  prairie.  All  was  hurry  and  scurry. 

Along  with  Clayley  I  had  climbed  upon  the  roof  of  the 
rancho,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  and  to  find  out, 
if  possible,  his  intentions.  We  stood  for  some  time  with 
out  speaking,  both  of  us  gazing  at  the  maneuvers  of  the 
guerilleros.  They  were  galloping  to  and  fro  over  the  prairie, 
excited  by  the  escape  of  Raoul. 

"  Splendidly  done  !  "  exclaimed  my  companion,  struck 
with  their  graceful  horsemanship.  "One  of  those  fellows, 
captain,  as  he  sits,  at  this  minute,  would " 

"  Ha  !  what ?  "  shouted  he,  suddenly  turning  and 

pointing  towards  the  woods. 

I  looked  in  the  direction  indicated.  A  cloud  of  dust  was 
visible  at  the  debouchement  of  the  Medellin  road.  It  ap 
peared  to  hang  over  a  small  body  of  troops  upon  the  march. 
The  sun  was  just  setting ;  and,  as  the  cloud  lay  towards  the 
west,  I  could  distinguish  the  sparkling  of  bright  objects 
through  its  dun  volume.  The  guerilleros  had  reined  up 
their  horses,  and  were  eagerly  gazing  towards  the  same  point. 

Presently  the  dust  was  wafted  aside — a  dozen  dark  forms 
became  visible — and  in  the  midst  a  bright  object  flashed 
under  the  sun  like  a  sheet  of  gold.  At  the  same  instant  an 
insulting  shout  broke  from  the  guerilleros  and  a  voice  was 
heard  exclaiming : 

"  Cenobio  I  Cenobio  I  Los  canones  !  "  (Cenobio  !  Cenobio  ! 
the  cannon !) 

Clayley  turned  towards  me  with  an  inquiring  look. 

"  It  is  true,  Clayley ;  by  Heavens,  we'll  have  it  now !  " 

"  What  did  they  say  ?  " 

"  Look  for  yourself — well  ?  " 

"  A  brass  piece,  as  I  live ! — a  six-pound  carronade  ! " 

"  We  are  fighting  the  guerilla  of  Cenobio,  a  small  army  of 
itself.  Neither  stockade  nor  motte  will  avail  us  now." 


A   SHORT   FIGHT   AT     '  LONG   SHOT. 

"  What  Is  to  be  done  ?  "  asked  my  companion. 

"  Nothing  but  die  with  arms  in  our  hands.  We  will  not 
die  without  a  struggle,  and  the  sooner  we  prepare  for  it  the 
better." 

"  I  leaped  from  the  roof,  and  ordered  the  bugler  to  sound 
the  assembly. 

In  a  moment  the  clear  notes  rang  out,  and  the  soldiers 
formed  before  me  in  the  corral. 

"  My  brave  comrades  !  "  cried  I,  "  they  have  got  the  ad 
vantage  of  us  at  last.  They  are  bringing  down  a  piece  of 
artillery,  and  I  fear  these  pickets  will  offer  us  but  poor 
shelter.  If  we  are  driven  out,  let  us  strike  for  that  island  of 
timber ;  and,  mark  me — if  we  are  broken,  let  every  man  fight 
his  way  as  he  best  can,  or  die  over  a  fallen  enemy." 

A  determined  cheer  followed  this  short  harangue,  and  I 
continued  : 

"  But  let  us  first  see  how  they  use  their  piece.  It  is  a 
small  one,  and  will  not  destroy  us  all  at  once.  Fling  your 
selves  down  as  they  fire.  By  lying  flat  on  your  faces  you 
may  not  suffer  so  badly.  Perhaps  we  can  hold  the  corral 
until  our  friends  reach  us.  At  all  events  we  shall  try." 

Another  cheer  rang  along  the  line. 

"  Great  heaven,  captain  !  it's  terrible  ! "  whispered  the 
major. 

* '  What  is  terrible  ?  "  I  asked,  feeling  at  the  moment  a 
contempt  for  this  blaspheming  coward. 

"  Oh  !  this — this  business — such  a  fix  to  be " 

"  Major  !  remember  you  are  a  soldier." 

"  Yes ;  and  I  wish  I  had  resigned,  as  I  intended  to  do, 
before  this  cursed  war  commenced." 

"  Never  fear,"  said  I,  tempted  to  smile  at  the  candor  of 
his  cowardice  ;  "  you'll  drink  wine  at  Hewlett's  in  a  month. 
Get  behind  this  log — it's  the  only  point  shot-proof  in  the 
whole  stockade." 

"  Do  you  think,  captain,  it  will  stop  a  shot  ?  " 


172  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

Ay — from  a  siege  gun.  Look  out,  men,  and  be  ready  ta 
obey  orders  !  " 

The  six-pounder  had  now  approached  within  five  hundred 
yards  of  the  stockade,  and  was  leisurely  being  unlimbered 
in  the  midst  of  a  group  of  the  enemy's  artillerists. 

At  this  moment  the  voice  of  the  major  arrested  my  atten 
tion. 

"  Great  heaven,  captain  !  Why  do  you  allow  them  to 
come  so  near?" 

"  How  am  I  to  prevent  them  ?  "  I  asked,  with  some  surprise. 

"  Why,  my  rifle  will  reach  farther  than  that.  It  might 
keep  them  off,  I  think." 

"  Major,  you  are  dreaming  !  "  said  I.  "  They  are  two 
hundred  yards  beyond  range  of  our  rifles.  If  they  would 
only  come  within  that,  we  should  soon  send  them  back  for 
you. " 

"  But,  captain,  mine  will  carry  twice  the  distance." 

I  looked  at  the  major,  under  the  belief  that  he  had  taken 
leave  of  his  senses. 

"  It's  a  zundnadel,  I  assure  you,  and  will  kill  at  eight  hun 
dred  yards." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  "  cried  I,  starting ;  for  I  now  recollected 
the  curious-looking  piece  which  I  had  ordered  to  be  cut 
loose  from  the  saddle  of  Hercules.  "  Why  did  you  not  tell 
me  that  before?  Where  is  Major  Blossom's  rifle?"  I 
shouted,  looking  around. 

"  This  hyur's  the  major's^^,"  answered  Sergeant  Lincoln. 
"  But  if  it's  a  rifle,  I  never  seed  sich.  It  looks  more  like  a 
two-year  old  cannon." 

It  was,  as  the  major  had  declared,  a  Prussian  needle-gun 
— then  a  new  invention,  but  of  which  I  had  heard  some 
thing. 

"  Is  it  loaded,  major  ?  "  I  asked,  taking  the  piece  from 
Lincoln. 

"It  is." 


A   SHORT   FIGHT   AT    "  LONG   SHOT."         173 

"  Can  you  hit  that  man  with  the  sponge  ? "  said  I,  return 
ing  the  piece  to  the  hunter. 

"  If  this  hyur  thing  '11  carry  fur  enuf,  I  kin,"  was  the 
reply. 

"  It  will  kill  at  a  thousand  yards,  point  blank,"  cried  the 
major,  with  energy. 

"  Ha  !  are  you  sure  of  that,  major  ? "  I  asked. 

"  Certainly,  captain.  I  got  it  from  the  inventor.  We 
tried  it  at  Washington.  It  is  loaded  with  a  conical  bullet. 
It  bored  a  hole  through  an  inch  plank  at  that  distance." 

"  Well.  Now,  sergeant,  take  sure  aim  ;  this  may  save  us 
yet." 

Lincoln  planted  himself  firmly  on  his  feet,  choosing  a  notch 
of  the  stockade  that  ranged  exactly  with  his  shoulder.  He 
then  carefully  wiped  the  dust  from  the  sights;  and,  placing 
the  heavy  barrel  in  the  notch,  laid  his  cheek  slowly  against 
the  stock. 

"  Sergeant,  the  man  with  the  shot !  "     I  called  out. 

As  I  spoke,  one  of  the  artillerists  was  stooping  to  the 
muzzle  of  the  six-pounder,  holding  in  his  hand  a  spherical 
case-shot.  Lincoln  pressed  the  trigger.  The  crack  followed, 
and  the  artillerist  threw  out  his  arms,  and  doubled  over  on 
his  head  without  giving  a  kick. 

The  shot  that  he  had  held  rolled  out  upon  the  greensward. 
A  wild  cry,  expressive  of  extreme  astonishment,  broke  from 
the  guerilleros.  At  the  same  instant  a  cheer  rang  through 
the  corral. 

"  Well  done  !  "  cried  a  dozen  of  voices  at  once. 

In  a  moment  the  rifle  was  wiped  and  reloaded. 

"  This  time,  sergeant,  the  fellow  with  the  linstock." 

During  the  reloading  of  the  rifle,  the  Mexicans  around  the 
six-pounder  had  somewhat  recovered  from  their  surprise,  and 
had  rammed  home  the  cartridge.  A  tall  artillerist  stood, 
with  linstock  and  fuse,  near  the  breech,  waiting  for  the  order 
to  fire. 


174  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

Before  he  received  that  order  the  rifle  again  cracked  ;  his 
arm  flew  up  with  a  sudden  jerk,  and  the  smoking  rod,  flying 
from  his  grasp,  was  projected  to  the  distance  of  twenty  feet. 

The  man  himself  spun  round,  and,  staggering  a  pace  or 
two,  fell  into  the  arms  of  his  comrades. 

"Cap'n,  jest  allow  me  ter  take  that  ere  skunk  next  time." 

"  Which  one,  sergeant  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Him  thet's  on  the  black,  makin'  such  a  dot-rotted  muss." 

I  recognized  the  horse  and  figure  of  Dubrosc. 

"  Certainly,  by  all  means,"  said  I,  with  a  strange  feeling 
at  my  heart  as  I  gave  the  order. 

But  before  Lincoln  could  reload,  one  of  the  Mexicans,  ap 
parently  an  officer,  had  snatched  up  the  burning  fuse,  and, 
running  up,  applied  it  to  the  touch. 

"  On  your  faces,  men  !  " 

The  ball  came  crashing  through  the  thin  pickets  of  the 
corral,  and,  whizzing  across  the  enclosure,  struck  one  of  the 
mules  on  the  flank,  tearing  open  its  hip,  causing  it  to  kick 
furiously  as  it  tumbled  over  the  ground. 

Its  companions,  stampeding,  galloped  for  a  moment  through 
the  pen  ;  then,  collecting  in  a  corner,  stood  cowered  up  and 
quivering.  A  fierce  yell  announced  the  exultation  of  the 
guerilleros. 

Dubrosc  was  sitting  on  his  powerful  mustang,  facing  the 
corral,  and  watching  the  effects  of  the  shot. 

"  If  he  wur  only  'ithin  range  ov  my  own  rifle  !  "  muttered 
Lincoln,  as  he  glanced  along  the  sights  of  the  strange  piece. 

The  crack  soon  followed — the  black  horse  reared,  stag 
gered,  and  fell  back  on  his  rider. 

"  Ten  strike,  set  'em  up !  "  exclaimed  a  soldier. 

"  Missed  the  skunk — confound  him  !  "  cried  Lincoln, 
gritting  his  teeth  as  the  horseman  was  seen  to  struggle  from 
under  the  fallen  animal. 

Rising  to  his  feet,  Dubrosc  sprang  out  to  the  front,  and 
shook  his  fist  in  the  air  with  a  shout  of  defiance. 


A  SHORT    FIGHT   AT   "  LONG   SHOT."         175 

The  guerilleros  galloped  back  ;  and  the  artillerists  wheel 
ing  the  six-pounder,  dragged  it  after,  and  took  up  a  nevtf 
position  about  three  hundred  yards  farther  to  the  rear. 

A  second  shot  from  the  piece  again  tore  through  the  pickets, 
striking  one  of  our  men,  and  killing  him  instantly. 

"  Aim  at  the  artillerists,  sergeant.  We  have  nothing  to 
fear  from  the  others." 

Lincoln  fired  again.  The  shot  hit  the  ground  in  front  of 
the  enemy's  gun  ;  but,  glancing,  it  struck  one  of  the  cannon- 
iers,  apparently  wounding  him  badly,  as  he  was  carried  back 
by  his  comrades. 

The  Mexicans,  terror-struck  at  this  strange  instrument  of 
destruction,  took  up  a  new  position,  two  hundred  yards  still 
farther  back. 

Their  third  shot  ricocheted,  striking  the  top  of  the  strong 
plank  behind  which  the  major  was  screening  himself,  and 
only  frightening  the  latter  by  the  shock  upon  the  timber. 

Lincoln  again  fired. 

This  time  his  shot  produced  no  visible  effect,  and  a  taunt 
ing  cheer  from  the  enemy  told  that  they  felt  themselves  be 
yond  range. 

Another  shot  was  fired  from  zundnabel,  apparently  with  a 
similar  result. 

"  It's  beyond  her  carry,  cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  bringing  the 
butt  of  his  piece  to  the  ground,  with  an  expression  of  reluc 
tant  conviction. 

"  Try  one  more  shot.  If  it  fail,  we  can  reserve  the  other 
for  closer  work.  Aim  high  !  " 

This  resulted  as  the  two  preceding  ones;  and  a  voice 
from  the  guerilleros  was  heard  exclaiming : 

"  Yankees  bobos  !  mas  adclante  f  "  (A  little  farther,  you 
Yankee  fools !) 

Another  shot  from  the  six-pounder  cracked  through  the 
planks,  knocking  his  piece  from  the  hands  of  a  soldier,  and 
shivering  the  dry  stock- wood  into  fifty  fragments. 


176  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS, 

"  Sergeant,  give  me  the  rifle,"  said  I.  "  They  must  be  a 
thousand  yards  off ;  but,  as  they  are  as  troublesome  with 
that  carronade  as  if  they  were  only  ten,  I  shall  try  one  more 
shot." 

I  fired,  but  the  ball  sank  at  least  fifty  paces  in  front  of  the 
enemy. 

"  We  expect  too  much.  It  is  not  a  twenty-four  pounder. 
Major,  I  envy  you  two  things — your  rifle  and  your  horse." 

"  Hercules  ? " 

"  Of  course." 

"  Lord,  captain  !  you  may  do  what  you  will  with  the  rifle ; 
and  if  ever  we  get  out  of  the  reach  of  these  infernal  devils, 
Hercules  shall  be " 

At  this  moment  a  cheer  came  from  the  guerilleros,  and  a 
voice  was  heard  shouting  above  the  din : 

"  La  metratla  !  la  metralla  !  "     (The  howitzer  !) 

I  leaped  upon  the  roof,  and  looked  out  upon  the  plain.  It 
was  true.  A  howitzer-carriage,  drawn  by  mules,  was  de 
bouching  from  the  woods,  the  animals  dragging  it  along  at 
a  gallop. 

It  was  evidently  a  piece  of  some  size,  large  enough  to  tear 
the  light  picketing  that  screened  us  to  atoms. 

I  turned  towards  my  men  with  a  look  of  despair.  My  eye 
at  this  moment  rested  on  the  drove  of  mules  that  stood 
crowded  together  in  a  corner  of  the  pen.  A  sudden  thought 
struck  me.  Might  we  not  mount  them  and  escape  ?  There 
were  more  than  enough  to  carry  us  all,  and  the  rancho  was 
filled  with  bridles  and  ropes.  I  instantly  leaped  from  the 
roof,  and  gave  orders  to  the  men. 

"  Speedily,  but  without  noise  !  "  cried  I,  as  the  soldiers 
proceeded  to  fling  bridles  upon  the  necks  of  the  animals. 

In  five  minutes  each  man,  with  his  rifle  slung,  stood  by  a 
mule,  some  of  them  having  buckled  on  tapadas^  to  prevent 
the  animals  from  kicking. 

The  major  stppd  ready  by  his  horse, 


A  SHORT   FIGHT  AT   "  LONG  SHOT."         177 

"  Now,  my  brave  fellows,"  shouted  I  in  a  loud  voice,  "  we 
must  take  it  cavalry  fashion — Mexican  cavalry,  I  mean." 
The  men  laughed.  "  Once  in  the  woods,  we  shall  retreat 
no  farther.  At  the  words  "Mount  and  follow"  spring  to 
your  seats  and  follow  Mr.  Clayley.  I  shall  look  to  your  rear 
— don't  stop  to  fire — hold  on  well.  If  any  one  fall,  let  his 
nearest  comrade  take  him  up.  H5.  !*  anyone  hurt  there  ?  " 
A  shot  had  whistled  through  the  ranks.  "  Only  a  scratch," 
was  the  reply. 

"  All  ready,  then,  are  you  ?  Now,  Mr.  Clayley,  you  see 
the  high  timber — make  direct  for  that.  Down  with  the  bars  ! 
'  Mount  and  follow  !  '  " 

As  I  uttered  the  last  words,  the  men  leaped  to  their  seats ; 
and  Clayley,  riding  the  bell-mule,  dashed  out  of  the  corral, 
followed  by  the  whole  train,  some  of  them  plunging  and 
kicking,  but  all  galloped  forward  at  the  sound  of  the  bell 
upon  their  guide. 

As  the  dark  cavalcade  rushed  out  upon  the  prairie,  a  wild 
cry  from  the  guerilleros  told  that  this  was  the  first  intimation 
they  had  had  of  the  singular  ruse.  They  sprang  to  their 
saddles  with  yells,  and  galloped  in  pursuit.  The  howitzer, 
tfcsu  had  been  trailed  upon  the  corral,  was  suddenly  wheeled 
about  and  fired  ;  but  the  shot,  ill-directed  in  their  hast*, 
whistled  harmlessly  over  our  heads. 

The  guerilleros,  on  their  swift  steeds,  soon  lessened  the 
distance  between  us. 

With  a  dozen  of  the  best  men  I  hung  in  the  rear,  to  give 
the  foremost  of  the  pursuers  a  volley,  or  pick  up  any  soldier 
who  might  be  tossed  from  his  mule.  One  of  these,  at  in 
tervals,  kicked  as  only  a  Mexican  mule  can  ;  and  when 
within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  timber,  his  rider,  an  Irishman, 
was  flung  upon  the  prairie. 

The  rearmost  of  our  party  stopped  to  take  him  up.  He 
was  seized  by  Chane,  who  mounted  him  in  front  of  himself. 
The  delay  had  nearly  been  fatal.  The  pursuers  were  already 

12 


178  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

within  a  hundred  yards,  firing  their  pistols  and  escopettes 
without  effect.  A  number  of  the  men  turned  in  their  seats 
and  blazed  back.  Others  threw  their  rifles  over  their  shoul 
ders,  and  pulled  trigger  at  random.  I  could  perceive  that 
two  or  three  guerilleros  dropped  from  their  saddles.  Their 
comrades,  with  shouts  of  vengeance,  closed  upon  us  nearer 
and  nearer.  The  long  lazos,  far  in  advance,  whistled  around 
our  heads. 

I  felt  the  slippery  noose  light  upon  my  shoulders.  I 
flung  out  my  arms  to  throw  it  off,  but  'with  a  sudden  jerk  it 
tightened  around  my  neck.  I  clutched  the  hard  thong, 
and  pulled  with  all  my  might.  It  was  in  vain. 

The  animal  I  rode,  freed  from  my  manege,  seemed  to  plunge 
under  me,  and  gather  up  its  back  with  a  vicious  determina 
tion  to  fling  me.  It  succeeded  ;  and  I  was  launched  in  the 
air,  and  dashed  to  the  earth  with  a  stunning  violence. 

I  felt  myself  dragged  along  the  gravelly  ground.  I 
grasped  the  weeds,  but  they  came  away  in  my  hands,  torn  up 
by  the  roots.  There  was  a  struggle  above  and  around  me. 
I  could  hear  loud  shouts  and  the  firing  of  guns.  I  felt  that 
I  was  being  strangled. 

A  bright  object  glistened  before  my  eyes.  I  felt  myself 
seized  by  a  strong  rough  hand,  and  swung  into  the  air  and 
rudely  shaken,  as  if  in  the  grasp  of  some  giant's  arm. 

Something  twitched  me  sharply  over  the  cheeks.  I  heard 
the  rustling  of  trees.  Branches  snapped  and  crackled,  and 
leaves  swept  across  my  face.  Then  came  the  flash — flash, 
and  the  crack — crack— crack  of  a  dozen  rifles,  and  under 
their  blazing  light  I  was  dashed  a  second  time  with  violence 
to  the  earth. 


The  Jornada,  or  Journey  of  Death,  Northern  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE   RESCUE. 

OUGH   handling  cap'n.     Yer  must   excuse 
haste." 

It  was  the  voice  of  Lincoln. 
"  Ha  !  in  the  timber  ?     Safe,  then  1  "  ejacu 
lated  I  in  return. 

"  Two   or    three   wounded — not   bad   neither. 
Chane   has   got   a   stab   in   the   hip — he  gin    the 
feller  goss  for  it.     Let   me  louze  the  darn  thing 
off  o'  your  neck.     It  kum  mighty  near  chokin'  yer,  capt'n." 
Bob  proceeded  to  unwind  the  noose  end   of  a  lazo  that, 
with  some  six  feet  of  a  raw  hide  thong,  was  still  tightly 
fastened  around  my  neck. 

179 


l8o  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  But  who  cut  the  rope  ?  "  demanded  I. 

"I  did,  with  this  hyur  toothpick.  Yer  see,  cap'n,  it 
wasn't  yer  time  to  be  hung  just  yet.'' 

I  could  not  help  smiling  as  I  thanked  the  hunter  for  my 
safety. 

"  But  where  are  the  guerilleros  ?  "  asked  I,  looking  around, 
my  brain  still  somewhat  confused. 

"  Yander  they  are,  keepin'  safe  out  o'  range  o'  this  long 
gun.  Just  listen  to  'em  ! — what  a  hillerballoo  !  " 

The  Mexican  horsemen  were  galloping  out  on  the  prairie, 
their  arms  glistening  under  the  clear  moonlight. 

"  Take  to  the  trees,  men  !  "  cried  I,  seeing  that  the  enemy 
had  again  unlimbered,  and  were  preparing  to  discharge  their 
howitzer. 

In  a  moment  the  iron  shower  came  whizzing  through  the 
branches  without  doing  any  injury,  as  each  of  the  men  had 
covered  his  body  with  a  tree.  Several  of  the  mules  that 
stood  tied  and  trembling  were  killed  by  the  discharge. 

Another  shower  hurtled  through  the  bushes,  with  a  similar 
effect. 

I  was  thinking  of  retreating  farther  into  the  timber,  and 
was  walking  back  to  reconnoiter  the  ground,  when  my  eye 
fell  upon  an  object  that  arrested  my  attention.  It  was  the 
body  of  a  very  large  man  lying  flat  upon  his  face,  his  head 
buried  among  the  roots  of  a  good-sized  tree.  The  arms  were 
stiffly  pressed  against  his  sides,  and  the  legs  projected  at 
full  stretch,  exhibiting  an  appearance  of  motionless  rigidity, 
as  though  a  well-dressed  corpse  had  been  rolled  over  on  its 
face.  I  at  once  recognized  it  as  the  body  of  the  major, 
whom  I  supposed  to  have  fallen  dead  where  he  lay. 

"  Good  heavens  !  Clayley,  look  here  "  cried  I  ;  "  poor 
Blossom's  killed !  " 

"  No,  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  am  !  "  growled  thejatter,  screw 
ing  his  neck  round  like  a  lizard,  and  looking  up  without 
changing  the  attitude  of  his  body.  Clayley  was,  convulsed 


THE    RESCUE.  l8l 

with  laughter.  The  major  sheathed  his  head  againv  as  he 
knew  that  another  shot  from  the  howitzer  might  soon  be 
expected. 

"  Major,"  cried  Clayley,  "  that  right  shoulder  of  yours  pro 
jects  over  at  least  six  inches." 

"  I  know  it,"  answered  the  major,  in  a  frightened  voice. 
"  dog  gone  the  tree  ! — it's  hardly  big  enough  to  cover  a 
squirrel  ;  "  and  he  squatted  closer  to  the  earth,  pressing  his 
arms  tighter  against  his  sides.  His  whole  attitude  was  so 
ludicrous  that  Clayley  burst  into  a  second  yell  of  laughter. 

At  this  moment  a  wild  shout  was  heard  from  the  guerilleros. 

"What  next?"  cried  I,  running  toward  the  front,  and 
looking  out  upon  the  prairie. 

"Them  wildcats  are  gwine  to  cl'ar  out,  cap'n,"  said 
Lincoln,  meeting  me.  "I  kin  see  them  hitchin'  up." 

"  It  is  as  you  say  !  What  can  be  the  reason  ?  " 

A  strange  commotion  was  visible  in  the  groups  of  horsemen. 
Scouts  were  galloping  across  the  plain  to  a  point  of  the 
woods  about  half  a  mile  distant,  and  I  could  see  the  artil 
lerists  fastening  their  mules  to  the  howitzer-carriage.  Sud 
denly  a  bugle  rang  out,  sounding  the  "  Recall,"  and  the 
guerilleros,  spurring  their  horses,  galloped  off  toward  Ne- 
dellin. 

A  loud  cheer,  such  as  was  never  uttered  by  Mexican 
throats,  came  from  the  opposite  edge  of  the  prairie  ;  and 
looking  in  that  direction,  I  beheld  a  long  line  of  dark  forms 
debouching  from  the  woods  at  a  gallop.  Their  sparkling 
blades,  as  they  issued  from  the  dark  forest,  glistened  like  a 
cordon  of  fireflies,  and  I  recognized  the  heavy  footfall  of  the 
American  horse.  A  cheer  from  my  men  attracted  their  at 
tention  ;  and  the  leader  of  the  dragoons,  seeing  that  the 
guerilleros  had  got  far  out  of  reach,  wheeled  his  column  to 
the  right  and  came  galloping  down. 

"  Is  that  Colonel  Rawley  ? "  inquired  I,  recognizing  a 
dragoon  officer. 


l82  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Why,  bless  my  soul,  H !  "  exclaimed  he,  "  how  did 

you  get  out  ?  We  heard  you  were  jugged.  All  alive  yet  ?  " 

"  We  have  lost  two,"  I  replied. 

"  Pah  !  that's  nothing.  1  came  out  expecting  to  bury  the 
whole  kit  of  you.  Here's  Clayley,  too.  Clayley,  your 
friend  Twing's  with  us  ;  you'll  find  him  in  the  rear." 

"  Ha  !  Clayley,  old  boy  !  "  cried  Twing,  coming  up  ;  "  no 
bones  broken  ?  all  right  ?  Take  a  pull ;  do  you  good — don't 
drink  it  all,  though — leave  a  thimbleful  for  Haller  there. 
How  do  you  like  that  ?  " 

"  Delicious,  by  Jove  !"  ejaculated  Clayley,  tugging  away 
at  the  Georgia  major's  flask. 

"Come,  captain,  try  it." 

"  Thank  you,"  I  replied,  eagerly  grasping  the  welcome 
flask. 

"  But  where  is  old  Bios  ?  killed,  wounded  or  missing?  " 

"  I  believe  the  major  is  not  far  off,  and  still  uninjured." 

I  despatched  a  man  for  the  major,  who  presently  came  up 
blowing  and  swearing  like  a  Flanders  trooper. 

"  Hilloa,  Bios  ! "  shouted  Twing,  grasping  him  by  the  hand. 

"  Why,  bless  me,  Twing,  I'm  glad  to  see  you  !  "  answered 
Blossom,  throwing  his  arms  around  the  diminutive  major. 
"  But  where  on  earth  is  your  pewter  ?  "  for  during  the  em 
brace  he  had  been  groping  all  over  Twing's  body  for  the  flask. 

"  Here,  Cudjo  !     That  flask,  boy  !  " 

"  Faith,  Twing,  I'm  near  choked  ;  we've  been  fighting 
all  day — a  devil  of  a  fight  !  I  chased  a  whole  squad  of  the 
cussed  scoundrels  on  Hercules,  and  came  within  a  squirrel's 
jump  of  riding  right  into  their  nest.  We've  killed  dozens  ; 
but  Haller  will  tell  you  all.  He's  a  good  fellow,  that  Haller  ; 
but  he's  too  rash — rash  as  blazes  !  Hilloa,  Hercules  !  glad 
to  see  you  again,  old  fellow  ;  you  had  a  sharp  brush  for  it." 

"  Remember  your  promise,  major,"  said  I,  as  the  major 
stood  patting  Hercules  upon  the  shoulder. 

"  I'll  do  better,  Captain.     I'll  give  you  a  choice  between 


THE    RESCUE.  183 

Hercules  and  a  splendid  black  I  have.  Faith !  it's  »iard  to 
part  with  you,  old  Herky,  but  I  know  the  captain  will  like 
the  black  better :  he's  the  handsomest  horse  in  the  whole 
army  ;  bought  him  from  poor  Ridgely,  who  was  killed  at 
Monterey." 

This  speech  of  the  major  was  delivered  partly  in  soliloquy, 
partly  in  an  apostrophe  to  Hercules,  and  partly  to  myself. 

u  Very  well,  major,"  I  replied.  "  I'll  take  the  black. 
Mr.  Clayley,  mount  the  men  on  their  mules :  you  will  take 
command  of  the  company,  and  proceed  with  Colonel  Raw- 
ley  to  camp.  I  shall  go  myself  for  the  Don." 

The  last  was  said  in  a  whisper  to  Clayley. 

"  We  may  not  get  in  before  noon  to-morrow.  Say  nothing 
of  my  absence  to  any  one.  I  shall  make  my  report  at  noon 
to-morrow." 

"  And,  captain "  said  Clayley. 

"Well,  Clayley ?" 

"  You  will  carry  back  my " 

"  What  ?     To  which  friend  ?  " 

"  Of  course,  to  Mary  of  the  Light." 

"Oh,  certainly!" 

"  In  your  best  Spanish." 

"  Rest  assured,"  said  I,  smiling  at  the  earnestness  of  my 
friend. 

I  was  about  moving  from  the  spot,  when  the  thought  oc 
curred  to  me  to  send  the  company  to  camp  under  command 
of  Oakes,  and  take  Clayley  along  with  me. 

"  Clayley,  by  the  way,"  said  I,  calling  the  lieutenant  back, 
"  I  don't  see  why  you  may  not  carry  your  compliments  in 
person.  Oakes  can  take  the  men  back.  I  shall  borrow  half 
a  dozen  dragoons  from  Rawley." 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  replied  Clayley. 

"  Come,  then  ;  get  a  horse,  and  let  us  be  off." 

Taking  Lincoln  and  Raoul,  with  half  a  dozen  of  Rawley's 
dragoons,  I  bade  my  friends  good-night. 


1 84 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


These  started  for  camp  by  the  road  of  Mata  Cordera,  while 
I  with  my  little  party  brushed  for  some  distance  round 
the  border  of  the  prairie,  and  then  climbed  the  hill,  over  which 
lay  the  path  to  the  house  of  the  Spaniard. 

As  I  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge  I  turned  to  look  upon 
the  scene  of  our  late  skirmish. 

The  cold,  round  moon,  looking  down  upon  the  prairie  of 
La  Virgen,  saw  none  of  the  victims  of  the  fight. 

The  guerilleros  in  their  retreat  had  carried  off  their  dead 
and  wounded  comrades,  and  the  Americans  slept  under 
ground  in  the  lone  corral :  but  I  could  not  help  fancying  that 
gaunt  wolves  were  skulking  round  the  enclosure,  and  that 
the  claws  of  the  coyote'  were  already  tearing  up  the  red  earth 
that  had  been  hurriedly  heaped  over  their  graves. 


Boat  Life  in  Tropical  America. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE  COCUYO. 


NIGHT-RIDE  through 
the  golden  tropical 
forest,  when  the  moon 
is  bathing  its  broad  and 
frondage  —  when  the 
hushed  and  the  long 


wax-like 
winds    are 

leaves  hang  drooping  and  silent — 
when  the  path  conducts  through 
dark  aisles  and  arbors  of  green 
vine-leaves^  and  out  again  into 
bright  and  flowery  glades — is  one 
of  those  luxuries  that  I  wish  we 
could  obtain  without  going  beyond 
the  limits  of  our  own  land. 

But  no.  The  romance  of  the  American  northern  forest — 
the  romance  that  lingers  around  the  gnarled  limbs  of  the 
oak,  and  the  maple,  and  the  elm — that  sighs  with  the  wintry 
wind  high  up  among  the  twigs  of  the  shining  sycamore — that 

185 


l86  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

flits  along  the  huge  fallen  trunks — that  nestles  in  the  brown 
and  rustling  leaves — that  hovers  above  the  bold  cliff  and 
sleeps  upon  the  gray  rock — that  sparkles  in  the  diamond 
stalactites  of  the  frost,  or  glides  along  the  bosom  of  the  cold 
black  river — is  a  feeling  or  a  fancy  of  a  far  different  char 
acter. 

These  objects — themselves  the  emblems  of  the  stony  and 
iron  things  of  nature — call  up  associations  of  the  darker  pas 
sions  :  strange  scenes  of  strife  and  bloodshed  ;  struggles  be 
tween  red  and  white  savages  ;  and  struggles  hardly  less  fierce 
with  the  wild  beasts  of  the  'forest.  The  rifle,  the  tomahawk, 
and  the  knife  are  the  visions  conjured  up,  while  the  savage 
whoop  and  the  dread  yell  echo  in  your  ear  ;  and  you  dream 
of  war. 

Far  different  are  the  thoughts  that  suggest  themselves  as 
you  glide  along  under  the  aromatic  arbors  of  the  American 
southern  forest,  brushing  aside  the  silken  foliage,  and  tread 
ing  upon  the  shadows  of  picturesque  palms. 

The  cocuyo  lights  your  way  through  the  dark  aisles,  and 
the  nightingale  cheers  you  with  his  varied  and  mimic  song. 
A  thousand  sights  and  sounds,  that  seem  to  be  possessed  of 
some  mysterious  and  narcotic  power,  lull  you  into  silence 
and  sleep — a  sleep  whose  dream  is  love. 

Clayley  and  I  felt  this  as  we  rode  silently  along.  Even 
the  ruder  hearts  of  our  companions  seemed  touched  by  the 
same  influence. 

We  entered  the  dark  woods  that  fringed  the  arroyo,  and 
the  stream  was  crossed  in  silence.  Raoul  rode  in  advance, 
acting  as  our  guide. 

After  a  long  silence  Clayley  suddenly  awoke  from  his 
reverie  and  straightened  himself  up  in  the  saddle. 

"  What  time  is  it,  captain  ? "  he  inquired. 
"Ten — a   few  minutes  past,"  answered  I,  holding    my 
watch  under  the  moonlight. 

"  I  wonder  if  the  Don's  in  bed  yet." 


THE  COCUYO.  187 

"  Not  likely :  he  will  be  in  distress  ;  he  expected  us  an 
hour  ago." 

"  True,  he  will  not  sleep  till  we  come  ;  all  right  then." 

"  How  all  right  then  ?  " 

"  For  our  chances  of  a  supper  ;  a  cold  pasty,  with  a  glass 
of  claret.  What  think  you  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  feel  hungry." 

**  But  I  do — as  a  hawk.  I  long  once  more  to  sound  the 
Don's  larder." 


Puma,  or  American  Lion  of  Mexico. 

"  Do  you  not  long  more  to  see " 

u  Not  to-night— no— that  is,  until  after  supper.  Every, 
thing  in  its  own  time  and  place  ;  but  a  man  with  a  hungry 
stomach  has  no  stomach  for  any  thing  but  eating.  I  pledge 
you  my  word,  Haller,  I  would  rather  at  this  moment  see  that 
grand  old  stewardess,  Pepe,  than  the  loveliest  woman  in 
Mexico,  and  that's  *  Mary  of  the  Light.' " 

"  Monstrous  !  " 

"  That  is  until  after  I  have  supped  Then  my  feelings 
will  doubtless  take  a  turn." 

"  Ah  !  Clayley,  you  can  never  love  ! " 


l88  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS* 

"  Why  so,  captain  ? " 

"With  you,  love  is  a  sentiment,  not  a  passion.  You 
regard  the  fair  blonde  as  you  would  a  picture  or  a  curious 
ornament." 

"  You  mean  to  say,  then,  that  my  love  is  "  all  in  my 
eye  ? " 

"  Exactly  so,  in  a  literal  sense.  I  do  not  think  it  has 
reached  your  heart,  else  you  would  not  be  thinking  of  your 
supper.  Now,  I  could  go  for  days  without  food — suffer  any 
hardship  ;  but,  no,  you  cannot  understand  this." 

"  I  confess  not.     I  am  too  hungry." 

"  You  could  forget — nay,  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  you 
have  already  forgotten — all  but  the  fact  that  your  mistress 
is  a  blonde,  with  bright  golden  hair.  Is  it  not  so  ?  " 

"  I  confess,  captain,  that  I  should  make  but  a  poor  por 
trait  of  her  from  memory." 

"  And,  were  I  a  painter,  I  could  throw  her  features  upon 
the  canvas  as  truly  as  if  they  were  before  me.  I  see  her 
face  outlined  upon  these  broad  leaves — her  dark  eyes  burn 
ing  in  the  flash  of  the  cocuyo — her  long  black  hair  drooping 
from  the  feathery  fringes  of  the  palm — and  her " 

"  Stop  !  You  are  dreaming,  captain  !  Her  eyes  are  not 
dark — her  hair  is  not  black." 

"  What !     Her  eyes  not  dark? — as  ebony  or  night!  " 

"  Blue  as  a  turquoise  !  " 

"  Black  !     What  are  you  thinking  of  ?  " 

"  '  Mary  of  the  Light.'  " 

"  Oh,  that  is  quite  a  different  affair !  "  and  my  friend  and 
I  laughed  heartily  at  our  mutual  misconceptions. 

We  rode  on,  again  relapsing  into  silence.  The  stillness 
of  the  night  was  broken  only  by  the  heavy  hoof  bounding 
back  from  the  hard  turf,  the  jingling  of  spurs,  or  the  ring 
ing  of  the  iron  scabbard  as  it  struck  against  the  moving 
flanks  of  our  horses. 

We  had  crossed  the  sandy   spur,   with   its  chapparal  of 


THE   COCUYO.  189 

cactus  and  mezquite,  and  were  entering  a  gorge  of  heavy 
timber,  when  the  practised  eye  of  Lincoln  detected  an  ob 
ject  in  the  dark  shadow  of  the  woods,  and  communicated 
the  fact  to  me. 

"  Halt  !  "  cried  I,  in  a  low  voice. 

The  party  reigned  up  at  the  order.  A  rustling  was  heard 
in  the  bushes  ahead. 

"  Quien  viva  ?  "  challenged  Raoul,  in  the  advance. 

"  Un  amigo  "  (A  friend),  was  the  response. 

I  sprang  forward  to  the  side    of  Raoul,  and    called  out— 

"  Acercate  !  acercate!"  (Come  near!) 

A  figure  moved  out  of  the  bushes,  and  approached. 

"Esta  el  Capitan  ?"  (Is  it  the  captain  ?) 

I  recognized  the  guide  given  me  by  Don  Cosme'. 

The  Mexican  approached,  and  handed  me  a  small  piece 
of  paper.  I  rode  into  an  opening,  and  held  it  up  to  the  moon 
light  ;  but  the  writing  was  in  pencil,  and  I  could  not  make 
out  a  single  letter. 

"  Try  this,  Clayley.  Perhaps  your  eyes  are  better  than 
mine." 

"  No,"  said  Clayley,  after  examining  the  paper.  "I  can 
hardly  see  the  writing  upon  it." 

"  Esperate  mi  amo  "  (Wait,  my  master),  said  the  guide, 
making  me  a  sign.  We  remained  motionless.  • 

The  Mexican  took  from  his  head  his  heavy  sombrero,  and 
stepped  into  a  darker  recess  of  the  forest.  After  standing 
for  a  moment,  hat  in  hand,  a  brilliant  object  shot  out  from 
the  leaves  of  the palma  redonda.  It  was  the  cocuyo — the 
great  firefly  of  the  tropics.  With  a  low  humming  sound  it 
came  glistening  along  at  the  height  of  seven  or  eight  feet 
from  the  ground.  The  man  sprang  up,  and  with  a  sweep  of 
his  arm  jerked  it  suddenly  to  the  earth.  Then,  covering  it 
with  his  hat,  and  inverting  his  hand,  he  caught  the  gleaming 
insect,  and  presented  it  to  me  with  the  ejaculation : 

«Ya!»  (Now!) 


IQO 


THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 


"  No  muerde  "  (It  does  not  bite),  added  he,  as  he  saw  that 
I  hesitated  to  touch  the  strange,  beetle-shaped  insect. 

I  took  the  cocuyo  in  my  hand,  the  green,  golden  fire  flash 
ing  from  its  great  round  eyes.  I  held  it  up  before  the  writ- 


Mexican  Indians  Hunting  with  the  Native  Air-gun. 

ing,  but  the  faint  glimmer  was  scarcely  discernible  upon  the 
paper. 

"  Why,  it  would  require  a  dozen  of  these  to  make  sufficient 
light,"  I  said  to  the  guide. 

"  No,  senor\  uno  basta — ast"  (No,  sir ;  one  is  enough — thus)  ; 
and  the  Mexican,  taking  the  cocuyo  in  his  fingers,  pressed  it 
gently  against  the  surface  of  the  paper.  It  produced  a  bril- 


THE    COCUYO.  IQ1 

liant  light,  radiating  over  a  circle  of  several  inches  in  diam 
eter  ! 

Every  point  in  the  writing  was  plainly  visible. 

"  See,  Clayley  !  "  cried  I,  admiring  this  lamp  of  Nature's 
own  making.  "  Never  trust  the  tales  of  travelers.  I  have 
heard  that  half  a  dozen  of  these  insects  in  a  glass  vessel 
would  enable  you  to  read  the  smallest  type.  Is  that  true  ?  " 
added  I,  repeating  what  I  had  said  in  Spanish. 

"  No  senor  ni  cincuenta  "  (No,  sir  ;  nor  fifty),  replied  the 
Mexican. 

"  And  yet  with  a  single  cocuyo  you  may.  But  we  are  forget 
ting — let  us  see  what's  here." 

I  bent  my  head  to  the  paper,  and  read  in  Spanish : 

"  /  have  made  known  your  situation  to  the  American  com 
mander" 

There  was  no  signature  nor  other  mark  upon  the  paper. 

"  From  Don  Cosme  ? "  I  inquired,  in  a  v '  .sper  to  the 
Mexican. 

"  Yes,  senor,"  was  the  reply. 

"  And  how  did  you  expect  to  reach  us  in  the  corral  ? " 

"  Asi"  (So),  said  the  man  holding  up  a  shaggy  bull's  hide 
which  he  carried  over  his  arm. 

"  We  have  friends  here,  Clayley.  Come,  my  good  fellow, 
take  this  !  "  and  I  handed  a  gold  eagle  to  the  peon. 

"  Forward !  " 

The  tinkling  of  canteens,  the  jingling  of  sabers,  and  the 
echo  of  bounding  hoofs  recommenced.  We  were  again  in 
motion,  filing  on  through  the  shadowy  woods. 


Mary  of  the  Light. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

LUP£   AND    LUZ. 


HORTLY  after,  we  debouched  from  the  forest, 
entering  the  open  fields  of  Don  Cosmo's  plan 
tation.  There  was  a  flowery  brilliance,  around 
us,  full  of  novelty.  We  had  been  accustomed  to 
the  ruder  scenes  of  a  northern  clime.  The  tropical  moon 
threw  a  gauzy  veil  over  objects  that  softened  their  outlines ; 
and  the  notes  of  the  nightingale  were  the  only  sounds  that 
broke  the  stillness  of  what  seemed  a  sleeping  elysium. 

Once  a   vanilla  plantation,   here  and  there  the  aromatic 
bean  grew  wild,  its  ground   usurped  by   the  pita-plant,  the 
192 


LUPE   AND    LUZ.  IQ3 

acacia,  and  the  thorny  cactus.  The  dry  reservoir  and  the 
ruined  acequia  proved  the  care  that  had  in  former  times  been 
bestowed  on  its  irrigation.  Guardarayas  of  palms  and 
orange-trees,  choked  up  with  vines  and  jessamines,  marked 
the  ancient  boundaries  of  the  fields.  Clusters  of  fruit  and 
flowers  hung  from  the  drooping  branches,  and  the  aroma  of 
a  thousand  sweet-scented  shrubs  was  wafted  upon  the  night 
air.  We  felt  its  narcotic  influence  as  we  rode  along.  The 
helianthus  bowed  its  golden  head  as  if  weeping  at  the  ab 
sence  of  its  god  ;  and  the  cereus  spread  its  bell-shaped  bios' 
om,  joying  in  the  more  mellow  light  of  the  moon. 

The  guide  pointed  to  one  of  the  guardarayas  that  led  to 
the  house.  We  struck  into  it,  and  rode  forward.  The  path 
was  pictured  by  the  moonbeams  as  they  glanced  through 
the  half-shadowing  leaves.  A  wild  roe  bounded  away  be 
fore  us,  brushing  his  soft  flanks  against  the  rustling  thorns 
of  the  mezquite. 

Farther  on  we  reached  the  grounds,  and,  halting  behind 
the  jessamines,  dismounted.  Clayley  and  myself  entered 
the  enclosure. 

As  we  pushed  through  a  copse  we  were  saluted  by  the 
hoarse  bark  of  a  couple  of  mastiffs  ;  and  we  could  perceive 
several  forms  moving  in  front  of  the  rancho.  We  stopped  a 
moment  to  observe  them. 

"  Quitate,  Carlo  I  Pompo ! '"  (Be  off,  Carlo !  Pompo  !) 
The  dogs  growled  fiercely,  barking  at  intervals. 

"  Papa,  mandates  !  "     (Papa,  order  them  off  !) 

We  recognized  the  voices,  and  pressed  forward. 

"Afuera,  malditos perros  /  abajo  I "  (Out  of  the  way,  wicked 
dogs ! — down  !),  shouted  Don  Cosme,  chiding  the  fierce 
brutes  and  driving  them  back. 

The  dogs  were  secured  by  several  domestics  and  we  ad 
vanced. 

"  Quien  es  ?  "  inquired  Don  Cosm^. 

"  Amigos  "  (Friends),  I  replied. 


194 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


"Papa  f  papa !  es  el  capitan !  "  (Papa,  it  is  the  captain  !) 
cried  one  of  the  sisters,  who  had  run  out  in  advance,  and 
whom  I  recognized  as  the  elder  one. 


Vegetable  Milk  from  the  Cow-tree  of  Tropical  America. 

"  Do  not  be  alarmed,  sefiorita,"  said  I,  approaching. 
"  Oh  !  you  are  safe— you   are   safe !— papa,  he  is  safe  !  * 


LUPE  AND   LUZ.  195 

cried  both  the  girls  at  once  ;  while  Don  Cosme'  exhibited  his 
joy  by  hugging  my  comrade  and  myself  alternately. 

Suddenly  letting  go,  he  threw  up  his  hands,  and  inquired 
with  a  look  of  anxiety  : 

"  Y  el senor  gordo  ?  "    (And  the  fat  gentleman  ?) 

"  Oh  !  he's  all  right,"  replied  Clayley,  with  a  laugh  ;  "  he 
has  saved  his  bacon,  Don  Cosme  ;  though  I  imagine  about 
this  time  he  wouldn't  object  to  a  little  of  yours." 

I  translated  my  companion's  answer.  The  latter  part  of 
it  seemed  to  act  upon  Don  Cosme  as  a  hint,  and  we  were  im 
mediately  hurried  to  the  dining-room,  where  we  found  the 
Dona  Joaquina  preparing  supper. 

During  our  meal  I  recounted  the  principal  events  of  the 
day.  Don  Cosme'  knew  nothing  of  these  guerilleros,  al 
though  he  had  heard  that  there  were  bands  in  the  neighbor 
hood.  Learning  from  the  guide  that  we  had  been  attacked, 
he  had  despatched  a  trusty  servant  to  the  American  camp 
and  Raoul  had  met  the  party  coming  to  our  rescue. 

After  supper  Don  Cosme'  left  us  to  give  some  orders  rela 
tive  to  his  departure  in  the  morning.  His  lady  set  about 
preparing  the  sleeping  apartments,  and  my  companion  and 
I  were  left  for  some  time  in  the  sweet  companionship  of 
Lupe'  and  Luz. 

Both  were  exquisite  musicians,  playing  the  harp  and 
guitar  with  equal  cleverness.  Many  a  pure  Spanish  melody 
was  poured  into  the  delighted  ears  of  my  friend  and  myself. 
The  thoughts  that  arose  in  our  minds  were  doubtless  of  a 
similar  kind ;  and  yet  how  strange  that  our  hearts  should 
have  been  warmed  to  love  by  beings  so  different  in  character  ! 
The  gay,  free  spirit  of  my  comrade  seemed  to  have  met  a  re 
sponsive  echo.  He  and  his  brilliant  partner  laughed,  chatted, 
and  sang  in  turns.  In  the  incidents  of  the  moment  this 
light-hearted  creature  had  forgotten  her  brother,  yet  the  next 
moment  she  would  weep  for  him.  A  tender  heart — a  heart 
of  joys  and  sorrows — of  ever-changing  emotions,  coming 


196  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

and  passinge  kil  shadows  thrown  by  straggling  clouds  up 
on  the  sunlit  stream  ! 

Unlike  was  our  converse — more  serious.  We  may  not 
laugh,  lest  we  should  profane  the  holy  sentiment  that  is 
stealing  upon  us.  There  is  no  mirth  in  love.  There  are 
joy,  pleasure,  luxury ;  but  laughter  finds  no  echo  in  the 
heart  that  loves.  Love  is  a  feeling  of  anxiety — of  expec 
tation.  The  harp  is  set  aside.  The  guitar  lies  untouched 
for  a  sweeter  music — the  music  that  vibrates  from  the  strings 
of  the  heart.  Are  our  eyes  not  held  together  by  some  in 
visible  chain  ?  Are  not  our  souls  in  communion  through 
some  mysterious  means  ?  It  is  not  language — at  least,  not 
the  language  of  words  ;  for  we  are  conversing  upon  indiffer 
ent  things — not  indifferent,  either.  Narcisso,  Narcisso — a 
theme  fraternal.  His  peril  casts  a  cloud  over  our  happiness. 

"  Oh  !  that  he  were  here — then  we  could  be  happy  indeed." 

"  He  will  return  ;  fear  not — grieve  not ;  to-morrow  your 
father  will  easily  find  him.  I  shall  leave  no  means  untried  to 
restore  him  to  so  fond  a  sister." 

"  Thanks  !  thanks^  Oh  !  we  are  already  indebted  to  you 
so  much." 

Are  those  eyes  swimming  with  love,  or  gratitude,  or   both 
at  once  ?     Surely  gratitude  alone  does  not  speak  so  wildly. 
Could  this  scene  not  last  forever  ? 

"  Good-night— good-night !  " 

"  Senores,pasan  Yds.  buena  nochel  "  (Gentlemen,  may  you 
pass  a  pleasant  night !) 

They  are  gone,  and  those  oval  developments  of  face  and 
figure  are  floating  before  me,  as  though  the  body  itself  were 
still  present.  It  is  the  soft  memory  of  love  in  all  its  growing 

distinctness ! 

******* 

We  were  shown  to  our  sleeping  apartments.  Our  men  pick 
eted  their  horses  under  the  olives,  and  slept  in  the  bamboo 
rancho,  a  single  sentry  walking  his  rounds  during  the  night. 


My  Bed-Chamber  at  Don  Cosme's. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

A  TOUGH  NIGHT  OF  IT  AFTER  ALL. 

ENTERED    my  chamber — to    sleep?      No. 
And  yet  it  contained  a  bed  fit  for  Morpheus 
— a  bed  canopied  and  curtained  with  cloth 
from  the  looms  of  Damascus  :    shining  rods 
roofed  upwards,  and  met  in  an  ornamental  de 
sign,  where  the  god  of  sleep,  fanned  by  virgins 
of  silver,  reclined  upon  a  couch  of  roses. 

I  drew  aside  the  curtains — a  bank  of  snow — 
pillows,  as  if  prepared  for  the  cheek  of  a  beautiful  bride. 
I  had  not  slept  in  a  bed  for  two  months.  A  close  crib  in  a 
transport  ship — a  "  shake-down  "  among  the  scorpions  and 
spiders  of  Lobos — a  single  blanket  among  the  sand-hills, 
where  it  was  not  unusual  to  wake  up  half  buried  by  the  drift. 
These,  were  my  souvenirs.  Fancy  the  prospect !  It  cer 
tainly  invited  repose ;  and  yet  I  was  in  no  humor  to  sleep. 

197 


IQ8  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

My  brain  was  in  a  whirl.  The  strange  incidents  of  the  day 
— some  of  them  were  mysterious — crowded  into  my  mind. 
My  whole  system,  mental  as  well  as  physical,  was  flushed  ; 
and  thought  followed  thought  with  nervous  rapidity, 

My  heart  shared  the  excitement — chords  long  silent  ha<{ 
been  touched— the  divine  element  was  fairly  enthroned.  1 
was  in  love  ! 

It  was  not  the  first  passion  of  my  life,  and  I  easily  retog- 
nized  it.  Even  jealousy  had  begun  to  distil  its  poison — - 
"  Don  Santiago  !  " 

I  was  standing  in  front  of  a  large  mirror,  vhen  I  noticed 
two  small  miniatures  hanging  against  the  wall— one  on  each 
side  of  the  glass. 

I  bent  over  to  examine,  first,  that  which  hung  upon  the 
right.  I  gazed  with  emotion.  They  were  her  features ;  "  and 
yet,"  thought  I,  "  the  painter  has  not  flattered  her  ;  it  might 
better  represent  her  ten  years  hence  :  still,  the  likeness  is 
there.  Stupid  artist !  "  I  turned  to  the  other.  "  Her  fair 
sister,  no  doubt.  Gracious  heaven  !  Do  my  eyes  deceive 
me  ?  No,  the  black  wavy  hair — the  arching  brows — the 
sinister  lip — Dubrosc  !  " 

A  sharp  pang  shot  through  my  heart.  I  looked  at  the 
picture  again  and  again  with  a  kind  of  incredulous  bewilder 
ment  ;  but  every  fresh  examination  only  strengthened  con 
viction.  "  There  is  no  mistaking  those  features — they  are 
his  1  "  Paralyzed  with  the  shock,  I  sank  into  a  chair,  my 
heart  filled  with  the  most  painful  emotions. 

For  some  moments  I  was  unable  to  think,  much  less  to  act. 

"  What  can  it  mean  ?  Is  this  accomplished  villain  a 
fiend  ? — the  fiend  of  my  existence  ? — thus  to  cross  me  at 
every  point,  perhaps  in  the  end  to " 

Our  mutual  dislike  at  first  meeting — Lobos — his  reappear 
ance  upon  the  sand-hills,  the  mystery  of  his  passing  the  lines 
and  again  appearing  with  the  guerilla — all  came  forcibly 


A  TOUGH  NIGHT  OF  IT  AFTER  ALL. 

upon  my  recollection ;  and  now  I  seized  the  lamp  and  rushed 
back  to  the  pictures. 

"  Yes,  I  am  not  mistaken  ;  it  is  he — it  is  she,  her  features 
— all — all.  And  thus,  too  ! — the  position — side  by  side — 
counter-parts  !  There  are  no  others  on  the  wall ;  matched — 
mated — perhaps  betrothed  !  His  name,  too,  Don  Emilio  1 
The  American  who  taught  them  English  1  His  is  Emile — 
the  voice  on  the  island  cried  '  Emile !  '  Oh,  the  coinci 
dence  is  complete  !  This  villain,  handsome  and  accomplished 
as  he  is,  has  been  here  before  me  1  Betrothed — perhaps 
married— perhaps —  Torture  !  horrible  1  " 

I  reeled  back  to  my  chair,  dashing  the  lamp  recklessly 
upon  the  table.  I  know  not  how  long  I  sat,  but  a  world  of 
wintry  thoughts  passed  through  my  heart  and  brain.  A 
clock  striking  from  a  large  picture  awoke  me  from  my  reverie. 
I  did  not  count  the  hours.  Music  began  to  play  behind  the 
picture.  It  was  a  sad,  sweet  air,  that  chimed  with  my  feel 
ings,  and  to  some  extent  soothed  them.  I  rose  at  length, 
and,  hastily  undressing,  threw  myself  upon  the  bed,  mentally 
resolving  to  forget  all — to  forget  that  I  had  ever  seen  her. 

"  I  will  rise  early — return  to  camp  without  meeting  her, 
and,  once  there,  my  duties  will  drive  away  this  painful  fancy. 
The  drum  and  the  fife  and  the  roar  of  the  cannon  will  drown 
remembrance.  Ha !  it  was  only  a  passing  thought  at  best — • 
the  hallucination  of  a  moment.  I  shall  easily  get  rid  of  it. 
Hal  ha!" 

I  laid  my  fevered  cheek  upon  the  soft,  cold  pillow.  I  felt 
composed — almost  happy. 

"  A  Creole  of  New  Orleans  1  How  could  he  have  been 
here  ?  Oh  1  have  I  not  the  explanation  already  ?  Why 
should  I  dwell  on  it  ?  " 

A  jealous  heart — it  is  easy  to  say  "  forget." 

I  tried  to  prevent  my  thoughts  from  returning  to  this 
theme.  I  directed  them  to  a  thousand  things :  to  the  ships 


200 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


• — to  the  landing — to  the  army — to  the  soldiers — to  the  but 
tons  upon  their  jackets  and  the  swabs  upon  their  shoulders 
— to  everything  I  could  think  of  :  all  in  vain.  Back,  back, 
back  I  in  painful  throes  it  came,  and  my  heart  throbbed,  and 
my  brain  burned  with  bitter  memories  freshly  awakened. 

I  turned  and  tossed  upon  my  couch  for  many  a  long  hour. 
The  clock  in  the  picture  struck,  and  played  the  same  music 
again  and  again,  still  soothing  me  as  before.  Even  despair 
has  its  moments  of  respite ;  and,  worn  with  fatigue,  mental 
as  well  as  physical,  I  listened  to  the  sad,  sweet  strain,  until 
it  died  away  into  my  dreams. 


Hanging  Nests  of  the  Pensile  Weaver  Bird. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


THE   LIGHT  AFTER   THE   SHADE. 


HEN   I   awoke   all   was 
darkness  around  me.     I 
threw  out  my  arms  and 
opened  the  damask  cur 
tains.     Not    a    ray   of    light  en 
tered  the  room.     I  felt  refreshed, 
and  from  this  I  concluded  I  must 
have  slept  long.    I  slipped  out  upon 
the  floor  and  commenced  groping 
for  my  watch.      Some  one  knocked. 
"  Come  in  1"     I  called. 

The  door  opened,  and  a  flood  of  light  gushed  into  the 
apartment.     It  was  a  servant  bearing  a  lamp. 
"  What  is  the  hour  ? "     I  demanded. 

JOI 


202  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Nine  o'clock,  mi  amo  "  (my  master),  was  the  reply. 

The  servant  set  down  the  lamp  and  went  out.  Another 
immediately  entered,  carrying  a  salver  with  a  small  gold  cup. 

"  What  have  you  there  ?  " 

"  Chocolate,  master  ;  Dona  Joaquina  has  sent  it." 

I  drank  off  the  beverage,  and  hastened  to  dress  myself. 
I  was  reflecting  whether  I  should  pass  on  to  camp  without 
seeing  any  one  of  the  family.  Somehow,  my  heart  felt  less 
heavy.  I  believe  the  morning  always  brings  relief  to  pain, 
either  mental  or  bodily.  It  seems  to  be  a  law  of  nature — at 
least,  so  my  experience  tells  me.  The  morning  air,  buoyant 
and  balmy,  dulls  the  edge  of  anguish.  New  hopes  arise  and 
new  projects  appear  with  the  sun.  The  invalid,  couch-toss 
ing  through  the  long  watches  of  the  night,  will  acknowledge 
this  truth. 

I  did  not  approach  the  mirror.     I  dared  not. 

"  I  will  not  look  upon  the  loved,  the  hated  face — no,  on  to 
the  camp  1 — let  Lethe Has  my  friend  arisen  ?  " 

"  Yes,  master  ;  he  has  been  up  for  hours." 

"  Ha  !  where  is  he  ?  " 

"  In  the  garden,  master." 

"  Alone  ?  " 

"  No,  master  ;  he  is  with  the  ninas  ?  " 

"  Happy,  light-hearted  Clayley  !  No  jealous  thoughts  to 
torture  him  1  "  mused  I,  as  I  buckled  on  my  stock. 

I  had  observed  that  the  fair-haired  sister  and  he  were 
kindred  spirits — sympathetic  natures,  who  only  needed  to  be 
placed  en  rapport  to  "  like  each  other  mightily" — beings  who 
could  laugh,  dance,  and  sing  together,  romp  for  months,  and 
then  get  married,  as  a  thing  of  course;  but,  should  any 
accident  prevent  this  happy  consummation,  could  say  "good- 
by  and  part  without  a  broken  heart  on  either  side ;  an  easy 
thing  for  natures  like  theirs ;  a  return  exchange  of  numerous 
billets-doux,  a  laugh  over  the  past,  and  a  light  heart  for  the 


THE    LIGHT   AFTER   THE   SHAM. 

future.  Such  is  the  history  of  many  a  love.  I  can  vouch 
for  it.  How  different  with 

"  Tell  my  friend,  when  he  returns  to  the  house,  that  I  wish 
to  see  him." 

"  Yes,  master." 

The  servant  bowed  and  left  the  room, 

In  a  few  minutes  Clayley  made  his  appearance,  gay  as  a 
grasshopper. 

"  So,  good  lieutenant,  you  have  been  improving  your  time, 
I  hear  ?  " 

"  Haven't  I,  though  ?  Such  a  delicious  stroll  1  Haller, 
this  is  a  paradise." 

"  Where  have  you  been  ?  " 

"  Feeding  the  swans,"  replied  Clayley,  with  a  laugh. 
"  But,  by  the  way,  your  chere  amie  hangs  her  pretty  head 
this  morning.  She  seems  hurt  that  you  have  not  been  up. 
She  kept  constantly  looking  towards  the  house." 

"  Clayley,  will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  order  the  men  to 
their  saddles  ? " 

"  What !  going  so  soon  ?     Not  before  breakfast,  though  ?  " 

"  In  five  minutes." 

"  Why,  captain,  what's  the  matter  ?  And  such  a  break 
fast  as  they  are  getting  !  Oh  !  Don  Cosme'  will  not  hear 
of  it." 

"  Don  Cosme' " 

Our  host  entered  at  that  moment,  and,  listening  to  his 
remonstrances,  the  order  was  rescinded,  and  I  consented  to 
remain. 

I  saluted  the  ladies  with  as  much  courtesy  as  I  could  as 
sume.  I  could  not  help  the  coldness  of  my  manner,  and  I 
could  perceive  that  with  her  it  did  not  pass  unobserved. 

We  sat  down  to  the  breaklast-table  ;  but  my  heart  was  full 
of  bitterness,  and  I  scarcely  touched  the  delicate  viands  that 
were  placed  before  me. 


2O4  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  You  do  not  eat,  captain.  I  hope  you  are  well  ?  "  said 
Don  Cosine',  observing  my  strange  and  somewhat  rude,  de 
meanor. 

"  Thank  you,  sefior,  I  never  enjoyed  better  health." 

I  studiously  avoided  looking  towards  her,  paying  slight 
attentions  to  her  sister.  This  is  the  game  of  piques.  Once 
or  twice  I  ventured  a  side-glance.  Her  eyes  were  bent 
upon  me  with  a  strange,  inquiring  look. 

They  are  swimming  in  tears,  and  soft,  and  forgiving. 
They  are  swollen.  She  has  been  weeping.  That  is  not 
strange.  Her  brother's  danger  is,  no  doubt,  the  cause  of 
her  sorrow. 

Yet,  is  there  not  reproach  in  her  looks  ?  Reproach !  How 
ill  does  my  conduct  of  last  night  correspond  with  this  affected 
coldness — this  rudeness  !  Can  she,  too,  be  suffering  ? 

I  arose  from  the  table,  and,  walking  forth,  ordered  Lincoln 
to  prepare  the  men  for  marching. 

I  strolled  down  among  the  orange  trees.  Clayley  followed 
soon  after,  accompanied  by  both  the  girls.  Don  Cosme  re 
mained  at  the  house  to  superintend  the  saddling  of  his  mule, 
while  Dona  Joaquina  was  packing  the  necessary  articles  into 
his  portmanteau. 

Following  some  silent  instinct,  we — Guadalupe  and  I — 
came  together.  Clayley  and  his  mistress  had  strayed  away, 
leaving  us  alone.  I  had  not  yet  spoken  to  her.  I  felt  a 
strange  impulse — a  desire  to  know  the  worst.  I  felt  as  one 
looking  over  a  fearful  precipice. 

Then  I  will  brave  the  danger  ;  it  can  be  no  worse  than 
this  agony  of  suspicion  and  suspense. 

I  turned  towards  her.  Her  head  was  bent  to  one  side. 
She  was  crushing  an  orange-flower  between  her  ringers,  and 
her  eyes  seemed  to  follow  the  dropping  fragments. 

How  beautiful  was  she  at  that  moment ! 

"  The  artist  certainly  has  not  flattered  you." 


THE    LIGHT   AFTER   THE   SHADE.  2O5 

She  looked  at  me  with  a  bewildered  expression.  Oh, 
those  swimming  eyes  I 

She  did  not  understand  me. 

I  repeated  the  observation. 

"  Sefior  capitan,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  That  the  painter  has  not  done  you  justice.  The  portrait 
is  certainly  a  likeness,  yet  the  expression,  I  think,  should 
have  been  younger." 

"  The  painter !  What  painter  ?  The  portrait  ?  What 
portrait,  senor  ?  " 

"  I  refer  to  your  portrait,  which  I  accidentally  found  hang 
ing  in  my  apartment." 

"  Ah  !  by  the  mirror  ?  " 

"  Yes,  by  the  mirror."     I  answered  sullenly. 

"  But  it  is  not  mine,  senor  capitan." 

"  Ha  ! — how  ?     Not  yours  !  " 

"  No  :  it  is  the  portrait  of  my  cousin,  Maria  de  Merced. 
They  say  we  were  much  alike." 

My  heart  expanded.  My  whole  frame  quivered  under  the 
influence  of  joyful  emotions. 

"  And  the  gentleman  ?  "  I  faltered  out. 

"  Don  Emilio  ?  He  was  cousin's  lover — huyeron"  (they 
eloped). 

As  she  repeated  the  last  word,  she  turned  her  head  away, 
and  I  thought  there  was  a  sadness  in  her  manner. 

I  was  about  to  speak,  when  she  continued : 

"  It  was  her  room — we  have  not  touched  anything." 

"  And  where  is  your  cousin  now  ?  " 

"  We  know  not." 

"  There  is  a  mystery,"  thought  I.  I  pressed  the  subject  no 
farther.  It  was  nothing  to  me  now.  My  heart  was  happy. 

"Let  us  walk  farther,  Lupita." 

She  turned  her  eyes  upon  me  with  an  expression  of  won 
der.  The  change  in  my  manner — so  sudden — how  was  she 


206  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

to  account  for  it  ?  I  could  have  knelt  before  her  and  ex 
plained  all.  Reserve  disappeared,  and  the  confidence  of  the 
preceding  night  was  fully  restored. 

We  wandered  along  under  the  guard  aruyas,  amidst  sounds 
and  scenes  suggestive  of  love  and  tenderness.  Love  I  We 
heard  it  in  the  songs  of  the  birds — in  the  humming  of  the 
bees — in  the  voices  of  all  nature  around  us.  We  felt  it  in 
our  own  hearts.  The  late  cloud  had  passed,  making  the  sky 
still  brighter  than  before  :  the  reaction  had  heightened  our 
mutual  passion  to  the  intensity  of  non-resistance ;  and  we 
walked  on,  her  hand  clasped  in  mine.  We  had  eyes  only  for 
each  other. 

We  reached  a  clump  of  cocoa-trees  ;  one  of  them  had  fall 
en,  and  its  smooth  trunk  offered  a  seat,  protected  from  the 
sun  by  the  shadowy  leaves  of  its  fellows.  On  this  we  sat 
down.  There  was  no  resistance — no  reasoning  process — 
no  calculation  of  advantages  and  chances,  such  as  is  too  of 
ten  mingled  with  the  noble  passion  of  love.  We  felt  nothing 
of  this — nothing  but  that  undefinable  impulse  which  had  en 
tered  our  hearts,  and  to  whose  mystical  power  neither  of  us 
dreamed  of  offering  opposition.  Delay  and  duty  were  alike 
forgotten. 

"  I  shall  ask  the  question  now — I  shall  know  my  fate  at 
once,"  were  my  thoughts. 

In  the  changing  scenes  of  a  soldier's  life  there  is  but  little 
time  for  the  slow  formalities,  the  zealous  vigils,  the  compli 
cated  finesse  of  courtship.  Perhaps  this  consideration  im 
pelled  me.  I  have  but  little  confidence  in  the  cold  heart  that 
is  won  by  a  series  of  assiduities.  There  is  too  much  calcu 
lation  of  after-events — too  much  selfishness. 

These  reflections  passed  through  my  mind.  I  bent  towards 
my  companion,  and  whispered  to  her  in  that  language — rich 
above  all  others  in  the  vocabulary  of  the  heart : 

"  Guadalupe,  tu  meamas  ?  "    (Guadalupe,  do  you  love  me  ?) 


THE    LIGHT   AFTER   THE   SHADE.  2O7 

"  Yo  te  amo  I  "  was  the  simple  reply.  Need  I  describe  the 
joyful  feeling  that  filled  my  heart  at  that  moment  ?  My  hap 
piness  was  complete. 

The  confession  rendered  her  sacred  in  my  eyes,  and  we  sat 
for  some  time  silent,  enjoying  that  transport  only  known  to 
those  who  have  truly,  purely  loved. 

The  trampling  of  hoofs  !  It  was  Clayley  at  the  head  of 
the  troop.  They  were  mounted,  and  waiting  for  me.  Don 
Cosine*  was  impatient ;  so  was  the  Dona  Joaquina.  I  could 
not  blame  them,  knowing  the  cause. 

"  Ride  forward  1     I  shall  follow  presently." 

The  horsemen  filed  off  into  the  fields,  headed  by  the  lieu 
tenant,  beside  whom  rode  Don  Cosme',  on  his  white  mule. 

"  You  will  soon  return,  Enrique  ? " 

"  I  shall  lose  no  opportunity  of  seeing  you.  I  shall  long 
for  the  hour  more  than  you,  I  fear." 

"  Oh  !  no,  no  !  " 

"  Believe  me  yes,  Lupita !  Say  again  you  will  never 
cease  to  love  me." 

"  Never,  never !  Tuya — tuya — hasta  la  muerte  I  "  (Yours 
— yours — till  death !) 

How  often  has  this  question  been  asked  1  How  often  an 
swered  as  above ! 

I  sprang  into  the  saddle.  A  parting  look — another  from 
a  distance — a  wave  of  the  hand — and  the  next  moment  I  was 
urging  my  horse  in  full  gallop  under  the  shadowy  palms. 


A  Bamboo  Bridge  in  Southern  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A  DISAPPOINTMENT  AND  A  NEW  PLAN. 

OVERTOOK  my  companions  as  they 
were    entering   the   woods.     Clayley, 
who  had  been  looking  back  from  time 
to  time,  brushed  alongside   as  if  wish 
ing  to  enter  into  conversation. 
"  Hard  work,  captain,  to  leave  such  quarters.     By  Jove  1 
I  could  have  stayed  forever." 

"Come,  Clayley — you  are  in  love." 

"  Yes  ;  they  who  live  in  glass  houses Oh  1  if  I  could 

only  speak  the  lingo  as  you  do  !  " 

I  could  not  help  smiling,  for  I  had  overheard  him  through 
the  trees  making  the  most  he  could  of  his  partner's  broken 
208 


A   DISAPPOINTMENT   AND   A    NEW    PLAN.      2O9 

English.  I  was  curious  to  know  how  he  had  sped,  and 
whether  he  had  been  as  "  quick  upon  the  trigger  "  as  myself. 
My  curiosity  was  soon  relieved. 

"  I  tell  you,  captain,"  he  continued,  "  if  I  could  only  have 
talked  it,  I  would  have  put  the  question  on  the  spot.  I  did 
try  to  get  a  "  yes  "  or  a  "  no  "  out  of  her ;  but  she  either 
couldn't  or  wouldn't  understand  me.  It  was  all  bad  luck." 

"  Could  you  not  make  her  understand  you  ?  Surely  she 
knows  English  enough  for  that  ?  " 

"  I  thought  so  too ;  but  when  I  spoke  about  love,  she 
only  laughed  and  slapped  me  on  the  face  with  her  fan.  Oh 
no ;  the  thing  must  be  done  in  Spanish,  that's  plain  ;  and 
you  see  I  am  going  to  set  about  it  in  earnest.  She  loaned 
me  these." 

Saying  this,  he  pulled  out  of  the  crown  of  his  foraging- 
cap  a  couple  of  small  volumes,  which  I  recognized  as 
a  Spanish  grammar  and  dictionary.  I  could  not  resist 
laughing  aloud. 

"  Comrade,  you  will  find  the  best  dictionary  to  be  the 
lady  herself." 

"  That's  true ;  but  how  the  deuce  are  we  to  get  back 
again  ?  A  mule-hunt  don't  happen  every  day." 

"  I  fancy  there  will  be  some  difficulty  in  it." 

I  had  already  thought  of  this.  It  was  no  easy  matter  to 
steal  away  from  camp — one's  brother-officers  are  so  solici 
tous  about  your  appearance  at  drills  and  parades.  Don 
Cosmo's  rancho  was  at  least  ten  miles  from  the  lines,  and 
the  road  would  not  be  the  safest  for  the  solitary  lover.  The 
prospect  of  frequent  returns  was  not  at  all  flattering. 

"  Can't  we  steal  out  at  night  ?  "  suggested  Clayley.  "  I 
think  we  might  mount  half  a  dozen  of  our  fellows  and  do  it 
snugly.  What  do  you  say,  captain  ? " 

"  Clayley,  I  cannot  return  without  this  brother.  I  have 
almost  given  my  word  to  that  effect." 


210  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  You  have  ?  That  is  bad !  I  fear  there  is  no  prospect 
of  getting  him  out  as  you  propose." 

My  companion's  prophetic  foreboding  proved  but  too 
correct ;  for  on  nearing  the  camp  we  were  met  by  an  aide- 
de-camp  of  the  commander-in-chief,  who  informed  me  that 
on  that  very  morning,  all  communication  between  the 
foreign  ships  of  war  and  the  besieged  city  had  been  pro 
hibited. 

Don  Cosme's  journey,  then,  would  be  in  vain.  I  explained 
this,  advising  him  to  return  to  his  family. 

"  Do  not  make  it  known — say  that  some  time  is  required, 
and  you  have  left  the  matter  in  my  hands.  Be  assured  I 
shall  be  among  the  first  to  enter  the  city,  and  I  shall  find 
the  boy,  and  bring  him  to  his  mother  in  safety." 

This  was  the  only  consolation  I  could  offer. 

"  You  are  kind,  captain — very  kind  ;  but  I  know  that 
nothing  can  now  be  done.  We  can  only  hope  and  pray." 

The  old  man  had  dropped  into  a  bent  attitude,  his  coun 
tenance  marked  by  the  deepest  melancholy. 

Taking  the  Frenchman,  Raoul,  along  with  me,  I  rode 
back  until  I  had  placed  him  beyond  the  danger  of  the  strag 
gling  plunderer,  when  we  shook  hands  and  parted.  As  he 
left  me,  I  turned  to  look  after  him.  He  still  sat  in  that 
attitude  that  betokens  deep  dejection,  his  shoulders  bent 
forward  over  the  neck  of  his  mule,  while  he  gazed  vacantly 
on  the  path.  My  heart  sank  at  the  spectacle,  and,  sad  and 
dispirited,  I  rode  at  a  lagging  pace  towards  the  camp. 

Not  a  shot  had  as  yet  been  fired  against  the  town,  but 
our  batteries  were  nearly  perfected,  and  several  mortars 
were  mounted  and  ready  to  fling  in  their  deadly  missiles. 
I  knew  that  every  shot  and  shell  would  carry  death  into  the 
devoted  city,  for  there  was  not  a  point  within  its  walls  out 
of  range  of  a  ten-inch  howitzer.  Women  and  children  must 
perish  along  with  armed  soldiers  ;  and  the  boy — he,  too, 


A   DISAPPOINTMENT   AND   A   NEW   PLAN.       211 

might  be  a  victim.  Would  this  be  the  tidings  I  should  carry 
to  his  home  ?  And  how  should  I  be  received  by  her  with 
such  a  tale  upon  my  lips  ?  Already  had  I  sent  back  a 
sorrowing  father. 

"Is  there  no  way  to  save  him,  Raoul ?  " 

"  Captain  ?  "  inquired  the  man,  starting  at  the  vehemence 
of  my  manner. 

A  sudden  thought  had  occurred  to  me. 

"  Are  you  well  acquainted  with  Vera  Cruz  ?  " 

"  I  know  every  street,  captain." 

"  Where  do  those  arches  lead  that  open  from  the  sea  ? 
There  is  one  on  each  side  of  the  mole." 

I  had  observed  these  when  visiting  a  friend,  an  officer  of 
the  navy,  on  board  his  ship. 

"  They  are  conductors,  captain,  to  carry  off  the  overflow 
of  the  sea  after  a  norther.  They  lead  under  the  city,  opening 
at  various  places.  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  passing 
through  them." 

"Ha!   How?" 

"On  a  little  smuggling  expedition." 

"  It  is  possible,  then,  to  reach  the  town  by  these  ?  " 

"  Nothing  easier,  unless  they  may  have  a  guard  at  the 
mouth  ;  but  that  is  not  likely.  They  would  not  dream  of 
any  one's  making  the  attempt." 

"  How  would  you  like  to  make  it  ?  " 

"  If  the  captain  wishes  it,  I  will  bring  him  a  bottle  of  eau- 
de-vie  from  the  Cafe'  de  Santa  Anna." 

"  I  do  not  wish  you  to  go  alone.  I  would  accompany 
you." 

"  Think  of  it,  captain  ;  there  is  risk  for  you  in  such  an 
undertaking.  /  may  go  safely.  No  one  knows  that  I  have 
joined  you,  I  believe.  If  you  are  taken " 

"Yes,  yes;  I  know  well  the  result." 

"  The  risk  is  not  great,  either,"  continued  the  French- 


212 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


man,  in  a  half-soliloquy.  "  Disguised  as  Mexicans,  we 
might  do  it ;  you  speak  the  language  as  well  as  I.  If  you 
wish  it,  captain " 

"  I  do." 

"I  am  ready,  then." 

I  knew  the  fellow  well :  one  of  those  dare-devil  spirits 
ready  for  anything  that  promised  adventure — a  child  of 
fortune — a  stray  waif  tumbling  about  upon  the  waves  of 
chance — gifted  with  head  and  heart  of  no  common  order — • 
ignorant  of  books,  yet  educated  in  experience.  There  was 
a  dash  of  the  heroic  in  his  character  that  had  won  my  ad 
miration,  and  I  was  fond  of  his  company. 

It  was  a  desperate  adventure — I  knew  that;  but  I  felt 
stronger  interest  than  common  in  the  fate  of  this  boy.  My 
own  future  fate,  too,  was  in  a  great  degree  connected  with 
his  safety.  There  was  something  in  the  very  danger  that 
lured  me  on  to  tempt  it.  I  felt  that  it  would  be  adding 
another  chapter  to  a  life  which  I  have  termed  "  adventu 
rous." 


A  Serenade  in  Vera  Cruz. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

A  FOOLHARDY  ADVENTURE. 

T  night  Raoul  and  I,  disguised  in  the  leathern 
dresses   of  two   rancheros,  stole  round  the 
lines,  and  reached    Punta    Hornos,  a  point 
beyond  our  own    pickets.     Here  we  "  took 
the  water,"  wading  waist-deep. 

This  was   about  ten  o'clock.     The  tide  was 
just  setting  out,  and  the  night,  by  good  fortune, 
was  as  dark  as  pitch. 
As  the  swell  rolled  in  we  were  buried  to  the  neck,  and 
when  it  rolled  back  again  we  bent  forward ;  so  that  at  no 
time  could  much  of  our  bodies  be  seen  above  the  surface. 

213 


214  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

In  this  manner,  half  wading,  half  swimming,  we  kept  up 
to  the  town. 

It  was  a  toilsome  journey,  but  the  water  was  warm,  and 
the  sand  on  the  bottom  firm  and  level.  We  were  strengthened 
— I  at  least — by  hope  and  the  knowledge  of  danger.  Doubt 
less  my  companion  felt  the  latter  stimulant  as  much  as  I. 

We  soon  reached  the  battlements  of  Santiago,  where  we 
proceeded  with  increased  caution.  We  could  see  the  sentry 
up  against  the  sky,  pacing  along  the  parapet.  His  shrill 
cry  startled  us.  We  thought  we  had  been  discovered.  The 
darkness  alone  prevented  this. 

At  length  we  passed  him,  and  came  opposite  the  city, 
whose  battlements  rested  upon  the  water's  edge. 

The  tide  was  at  ebb,  and  a  bed  of  black,  weed-covered 
rocks  lay 'between  the  sea  and  the  bastion. 

We  approached  these  with  caution,  and  crawling  over  the 
slippery  boulders,  after  a  hundred  yards  or  so  found  ourselves 
in  the  entrance  of  one  of  the  conductors. 

Here  we  halted  to  rest  ourselves,  sitting  down  upon  a 
ledge  of  rock.  We  were  in  no  more  danger  there  than  in 
our  own  tents,  yet  within  twenty  feet  were  men  who,  had 
they  known  our  proximity,  would  have  strung  us  up  like  a 
pair  of  dogs. 

But  our  danger  was  far  from  lying  at  this  end  of  the  ad 
venture. 

After  a  rest  of  half  an  hour  we  kept  up  into  the  conductor. 
My  companion  seemed  perfectly  at  home  in  this  subter 
ranean  passage,  walking  along  as  boldly  as  if  it  had  been 
brilliantly  lighted  with  gas. 

After  proceeding  some  distance  we  approached  a  grating, 
where  a  light  shot  in  from  above. 

"  Can  we  pass  out  here  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"Not  yet,  captain,"  answered  Raoul  in  a  whisper. 
"  Farther  on." 


A  FOOLHARDY  ADVENTURE.       215 

We  passed  the  grating,  then  another  and  another,  and  at 
length  reached  one  where  only  a  feeble  ray  struggled  down 
ward  through  the  bars. 

Here  my  guide  stopped,  and  listened  attentively  for 
several  minutes.  Then,  stretching  out  his  hand,  he  undid 
the  fastening  of  the  grate,  and  silently  turned  it  upon  its 
hinge.  He  next  swung  himself  up  until  his  head  projected 
above  ground.  In  this  position  he  again  listened,  looking 
cautiously  on  all  sides. 

Satisfied  at  length  that  there  was  no  one  near,  he  drew  his 
body  up  through  the  grating  and  disappeared.  After  a 
short  interval  he  returned,  and  called  down  : 

"  Come,  captain." 

I  swung  myself  up  to  the  street.  Raoul  shut  down  the 
trap  with  care. 

"  Take  marks,  captain,"  whispered  he ;  "  we  may  get 
separated." 

It  was  a  dismal  suburb.  No  living  thing  was  apparent, 
with  the  exception  of  a  gang  of  prowling  dogs,  lean  and 
savage,  as  all  dogs  are  during  a  siege.  An  image,  decked 
in  all  the  glare  of  gaud  and  tinsel,  looked  out  of  a  glazed 
niche  in  the  opposite  wall.  A  dim  lamp  burned  at  its  feet, 
showing  to  the  charitable  a  receptacle  for  their  offerings. 
A  quaint  old  steeple  loomed  in  the  darkness  overhead. 

"  What  church  ?  "  I  asked  Raoul. 

"La  Magdalena." 

"  That  will  do.     Now  onward." 

"  Buenas  noches,  senorf"  said  Raoul  to  a  soldier  who 
passed  us,  wrapped  in  his  great-coat. 

"  Buenas  noches  /  "  returned  the  man  in  a  gruff  voice. 

We  stole  cautiously  along  the  streets,  keeping  in  the  darker 
ones  to  avoid  observation.  The  citizens  were  mostly  in 
their  beds  ;  but  groups  of  soldiers  were  straggling  about, 
and  patrols  met  us  at  every  corner. 


2l6  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

It  became  necessary  to  pass  through  one  of  the  streets 
that  was  brilliantly  lighted.  When  about  half-way  up  it 
a  fellow  came  swinging  along,  and,  noticing  our  strange 
appearance,  stopped  and  looked  after  us. 

Our  dresses,  as  I  have  said,  were  of  leather ;  our  cal- 
zoneros,  as  well  as  jackets,  were  shining  with  the  sea-water, 
and  dripping  upon  the  pavement  at  every  step. 

Before  we  could  walk  beyond  reach,  the  man  shouted 
out: 

"  Carajo  !  caballeros,  why  don't  you  strip  before  entering 
the  bano  ?  " 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  cried  a  soldier,  coming  up  and  stopping 
us. 

A  group  of  his  comrades  joined  him,  and  we  were  hurried 
into  the  light. 

"  Mil  diablos  !"  exclaimed  one  of  the  soldiers,  recognizing 
Raoul  ;  "  our  old  friend  the  Frenchman  !  Parlez-vous 
Frangais,  monsieur  ?  " 

"  Spies  1  "  cried  another. 

"  Arrest  them  !  "  shouted  a  sergeant  of  the  guard,  at  the 
moment  coming  up  with  a  patrol,  and  we  were  both  jumped 
upon  and  held  by  about  a  dozen  men. 

In  vain  Raoul  protested  our  innocence,  declaring  that  we 
were  only  two  poor  fishermen,  who  had  wet  our  clothes  in 
drawing  the  nets. 

"  It's  not  a  fisherman's  costume,  monsieur,"  said  one. 

"  Fishermen  don't  usually  wear  diamonds  on  their  knuck 
les,"  cried  another,  snatching  a  ring  from  my  finger. 

On  this  ring,  inside  the  circlet,  were  engraven  my  name 
and  rank  1 

Several  men,  now  coming  forward,  recognized  Raoul,  and 
stated,  moreover,  that  he  had  been  missing  for  some  days. 

"  He  must,  therefore,"  said  they,  "  have  been  with  the 
Yankees." 


A   FOOLHARDY  ADVENTURE. 


217 


We  were  soon  handcuffed  and  marched  off  to  the  guard- 
prison.  There  we  were  closely  searched,  but  nothing  further 
was  found,  except  my  purse,  containing  several  gold  eagles 
— an  American  coin  that  of  itself  would  have  been  sufficient 
evidence  to  condemn  me. 

We  were  now  heavily  chained  to  each  other,  after  which 
the  guard  left  us  to  our  thoughts.  They  could  not  have  left 
us  in  much  less  agreeable  companionship. 


Mexican  Cock-fight :  Often  Ending  in  a  Fist  Fight 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

HELP     FROM    HEAVEN. 

WOULD    not    care   a 
claco  for  my  own  life," 
said  Raoul,  as  the  gate 
closed  upon   us,    "  but 
that  you,  captain — hklas  !  helas  I ' 
and  the  Frenchman  groaned  and 
sank  upon  the  stone  bench,  drag 
ging  me  down  also. 

I  could  offer  no  consolation.  I  knew  that  'we  should  be 
tried  as  spies ;  and,  if  convicted — a  result  almost  certain — 
we  had  not  twenty  hours  to  live.  The  thought  that  I  had 
brought  this  brave  fellow  to  such  a  fate  enhanced  the  misery 
of  my  situation.  To  die  thus  ingloriously  was  bitter  indeed. 
Three  days  ago  I  could  have  spent  my  life  recklessly ;  but 
now,  how  changed  were  my  feelings  I  I  had  found  some- 
218 


HELP    FROM    HEAVEN. 

thing  worth  living  to  enjoy ;  and  to  think  I  should  never 
again — "  Oh  I  have  become  a  coward  1  "  I  cursed  my 
rashness  bitterly. 

We  passed  the  night  in  vain  attempts  at  mutual  consola 
tion.  Even  our  present  sufferings  occupied  us.  Our  clothes 
were  wet  through,  and  the  night  had  become  piercingly 
cold.  Our  bed  was  a  bench  of  stone ;  and  upon  this  we  lay 
as  our  chains  would  allow  us,  sleeping  close  together  to 
generate  warmth.  It  was  to  us  a  miserable  night ;  but 
morning  came  at  last,  and  at  an  early  hour  we  were  examined 
by  the  officer  of  the  guard. 

Our  court-martial  was  fixed  for  the  afternoon,  and  before 
this  tribunal  we  were  carried,  amidst  the  jeers  of  the  popu 
lace.  We  told  our  story,  giving  the  name  of  the  boy  Nar- 
cisso,  and  the  house  where  he  was  lodged.  This  was 
verified  by  the  court,  but  declared  to  be  a  ruse  invented  by 
my  comrade — whose  knowledge  of  the  place  and  other  cir 
cumstances  rendered  the  thing  probable  enough.  Raoul, 
moreover,  was  identified  by  many  of  the  citizens,  who  proved 
his  disappearance  coincident  with  the  landing  of  the  Ameri 
can  expedition.  Besides,  my  ring  and  purse  were  sufficient 
of  themselves  to  condemn  us — and  condemned  we  were. 
We  were  to  be  garotted  on  the  following  morning  1 

Raoul  was  offered  life  if  he  wound  turn  traitor  and  give 
information  of  the  enemy.  The  brave  soldier  indignantly 
spurned  the  offer.  It  was  extended  to  me,  with  a  similar 
result. 

All  at  once  I  observed  a  strange  commotion  among  the 
people.  Citizens  and  soldiers  rushed  from  the  hall,  and  the 
court,  hastily  pronouncing  our  sentence,  ordered  us  to  be 
carried  away.  We  were  seized  by  the  guard,  pulled  into  the 
street,  and  dragged  back  towards  our  late  prison.  Our  con 
ductors  were  evidently  in  a  great  hurry.  As  we  passed 
along  we  were  met  by  citizens  running  to  and  fro,  apparently 


220  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

in  great  terror — women  and  children  uttering  shrieks  and 
suddenly  disappearing  behind  walls  and  battlements.  Some 
fell  upon  their  knees,  beating  their  breasts  and  praying 
loudly.  Others,  clasping  their  infants,  stood  shivering  and 
speechless. 

"  It  is  just  like  the  way  they  go  in  an  earthquake,"  i  e- 
marked  Raoul,  "  but  there  is  none.  What  can  it  be,  cap 
tain  ?  " 

Before  I  could  reply,  the  answer  came  from  another 
quarter. 

Far  above,  an  object  was  hissing  and  hurtling  through 
the  air. 

"  A  shell  from  ours  1     Hurrah  I  "  cried  Raoul. 

I  could  scarcely  refrain  from  cheering,  though  we  our 
selves  might  be  the  victims  of  the  missile. 

The  soldiers  who  were  guarding  us  had  flung  themselves 
down  behind  walls  and  pillars,  leaving  us  alone  in  the  open 
street  I 

The  bomb  fell  beyond  us,  and,  striking  the  pavement, 
burst.  The  fragments  went  crashing  through  the  side  of  an 
adjoining  house ;  and  the  wail  that  came  back  told  how  well 
the  iron  messengers  had  done  their  work.  This  was  the 
second  shell  that  had  been  projected  from  the  American 
mortars.  The  first  had  been  equally  destructive  ;  and  hence 
the  extreme  terror  of  both  citizen  and  soldier.  Every  mis 
sile  seemed  charged  with  death. 

Our  guard  now  returned  and  dragged  us  onward,  treating 
us  with  increased  brutality.  They  were  enraged  at  the  ex 
ultation  visible  in  our  manner ;  and  one,  more  ferocious  than 
the  rest,  drove  his  bayonet  into  the  fleshy  part  of  my  com 
rade's  thigh.  After  several  like  acts  of  inhumanity,  we  were 
thrown  into  our  prison  and  locked  up  as  before. 

Since  our  capture  we  had  tasted  neither  food  nor  drink, 
and  hunger  and  thirst  added  to  th«  misery  of  our  situation. 


HELP    FROM    HEAVEN.  221 

The  insult  had  maddened  Raoul,  and  the  pain  of  his 
wound  now  rendered  him  furious.  He  had  not  hands  to 
touch  it  or  dress  it.  Frenzied  by  anger  and  pain  to  a 
strength  almost  superhuman,  he  twisted  off  his  iron  manacles 
as  if  they  had  been  straws.  This  done,  the  chain  that  bound 
us  together  was  soon  broken,  and  our  ankle  "  jewelry " 
followed. 

"  Let  us  live  our  last  hours,  captain,  as  we  have  our  lives, 
free  and  unfettered  !  " 

I  could  not  help  admiring  the  spirit  of  my  brave  com 
rade. 

We  placed  ourselves  close  to  the  door  and  listened. 

We  could  hear  the  heavy  cannonade  all  around,  and  now 
and  then  the  distant  shots  from  the  American  batteries. 
We  would  wait  for  the  bursting  of  the  bombs,  and,  as  the 
hoarse  thunder  of  crumbling  walls  reached  our  ears,  Raoul 
would  spring  up,  shouting  his  wild,  half  French,  half-Indian 
cries. 

A  thought  occurred  to  me. 

"  We  have  arms,  Raoul."  I  held  up  the  fragments  of  the 
heavy  chain  that  had  yoked  us.  "  Could  you  reach  the  trap 
on  a  run,  without  the  danger  of  mistaking  your  way  ? " 

Raoul  started. 

"  You  are  right,  captain — I  can.  It  is  barely  possible  they 
may  visit  us  to-night.  If  so,  any  chance  for  life  is  better  than 
none  at  all." 

By  a  tacit  understanding  each  of  us  took  a  fragment  of  the 
chain — there  were  but  two — and  sat  down  by  the  door  to  be 
ready  in  case  our  guards  should  open  it.  We  sat  for  over  an 
hour,  without  exchanging  a  word.  We  could  hear  the  shells 
as  they  burst  upon  the  housetops,  the  crashing  of  torn  timbers 
and  the  rumbling  of  walls  rolling  over,  struck  by  the  heavy 
shot.  We  could  hear  the  shouts  of  men  and  the  wailing  of 
women,  with  now  and  then  a  shriek  louder  than  all 


222  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

others,  as  some  missile  carried  death  into  the  terror-struck 
crowd. 

"  Parbleu  !  "  said  Raoul ;  "  if  they  had  only  allowed  us  a 
couple  of  days,  our  friends  would  have  opened  these  doors 
for  us.  Carrambo  !  " 

This  last  exclamation  was  uttered  in  a  shriek.  Simultane 
ously  a  heavy  object  burst  through  the  roof,  tearing  the  bricks 
and  plaster,  and  falling  with  the  ring  of  iron  on  the  floor. 

Then  followed  a  deafening  crash.  The  whole  earth  seemed 
to  shake,  and  the  whizzing  of  a  thousand  particles  filled  the 
air.  A  cloud  of  dust  and  lime,  mixed  with  the  smoke  of  sul 
phur,  was  around  us.  I  gasped  for  breath,  nearly  suf 
focated.  I  endeavored  to  cry  out,  but  my  voice,  husky  and 
coarse,  was  scarcely  audible  to  myself.  I  succeeded  at  length 
in  ejaculating : 

"  Raoul !  Raoul  I  " 

I  heard  the  voice  of  my  comrade  seemingly  at  a  great  dis 
tance.  I  threw  out  my  arms  and  groped  for  him.  He  was 
close  by  me,  but,  like  myself,  choking  for  want  of  air. 

"  By  Jove  !  it  was  a  shell,"  said  he  in  a  wheezing  voice. 
"  Are  you  hurt,  captain  ?  " 

"  No/'  I  replied ;  "  and  you  ?  " 

"  Sound  as  a  bell — our  luck  is  good — it  must  have  struck 
every  other  part  of  the  cell." 

"  Better  it  had  not  missed  us,"  said  I,  after  a  pause ;  "  we 
are  only  spared  for  the  garotte" 

"  I  am  not  so  sure  of  that,  captain,"  replied  my  companion, 
in  a  manner  that  seemed  to  imply  he  had  still  hopes  of  an 
escape. 

"  Where  that  shell  came  in,"  he  continued,  "  something 
else  may  go  out.  Let  us  see — was  it  the  roof  ?  " 

"  I  think  so." 

We  groped  our  way  hand  in  hand  towards  the  center  of  the 
room,  looking  upwards. 


HELP    FROM    HEAVEN.  223 

11  Carrambo  !  "  ejaculated  Raoul ;  "  I  can't  see  a  foot  be 
fore  me — my  eyes  are  filled — bah  !  " 

So  were  mine.  We  stood  waiting.  The  dust  was  gradu 
ally  settling  down,  and  we  could  perceive  a  faint  glimmer 
from  above.  There  was  a  large  hole  trhough  the  roof. 

Slowly  its  outlines  became  defined,  and  we  could  see  that 
it  was  large  enough  to  pass  the  body  of  a  man ;  but  it  was 
at  least  fourteen  feet  from  the  floor,  and  we  had  not  timber 
enough  to  make  a  walking-stick  1 

"  What  is  to  be  done  ?  We  are  not  cats,  Raoul.  We  can 
never  reach  it !  " 

My  comrade,  without  making  a  reply,  lifted  me  up  in  his 
arms,  telling  me  to  climb.  I  mounted  upon  his  shoulders, 
balancing  myself  like  a  Bedouin ;  but  with  my  utmost  stretch 
I  could  not  touch  the  roof. 

"  Hold  !  "  cried  I,  a  thought  striking  me.  "  Let  me  down, 
Raoul.  Now,  if  they  will  only  give  us  a  little  time." 

"  Never  fear  for  them  ;  they've  enough  to  do  taking  care 
of  their  own  yellow  carcasses." 

I  had  noticed  that  a  beam  of  the  roof  formed  one  side  of 
the  break,  and  I  proceeded  to  twist  our  handcuffs  into  a 
clamp,  while  Raoul  peeled  off  his  leather  breeches  and  com 
menced  tearing  them  into  strips.  In  ten  minutes  our  "  tackle" 
was  ready,  and,  mounting  upon  my  comrade's  shoulders,  I 
flung  it  carefully  at  the  beam.  It  failed  to  catch,  and  I  came 
down  to  the  floor,  my  balance  being  lost  in  the  effort.  I  re 
peated  the  attempt.  Again  it  failed,  and  I  staggered  down 
as  before. 

"  Parbleu  I  cried  Raoul  through  his  teeth.  The  iron  had 
struck  him  on  the  head." 

"  Come,  we  shall  try  and  try — our  lives  depend  upon  it." 

The  third  attempt,  according  to  popular  superstition,  should 
be  successful.  It  was  so  with  us.  The  clamp  caught,  and 
the  string  hung  dangling  downwards.  Mounting  again  upon 


224  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

my  comrade's  shoulders,  I  grasped  the  thong  high  up  to  test 
its  hold.  It  was  secure  ;  and,  cautioning  Raoul  to  hold  fast 
lest  the  hook  might  be  detached  by  my  vibration,  I  climbed 
up  and  seized  hold  of  the  beam.  By  this  I  was  enabled  to 
squeeze  myself  through  the  roof. 

Once  outside  I  crawled  cautiously  along  the  azotea,  which 
like  all  others  in  Spanish  houses,  was  flat,  and  bordered  by 
a  low  parapet  of  mason-work.  I  peeped  over  this  parapet, 
looking  down  info  the  street.  It  was  night,  and  I  could  see 
no  one  below ;  but  up  against  the  sky  upon  distant  battle 
ments  I  could  distinguish  armed  soldiers  busy  around  their 
guns.  These  blazed  forth  at  intervals,  throwing  their  sul 
phureous  glare  over  the  city. 

I  returned  to  assist  Raoul,  but,  impatient  of  my  delay,  he 
had  already  mounted,  and  was  dragging  up  the  thong  after 
him. 

We  crawled  from  roof  to  roof,  looking  for  a  dark  spot  to 
descend  into  the  street.  None  of  the  houses  in  the  range  of 
our  prison  were  more  than  one  story  high,  and,  after  passing 
several,  we  let  ourselves  down  into  a  narrow  alley.  It  was 
still  early,  and  the  people  were  running  to  and  fro,  amidst 
the  frightful  scenes  of  the  bombardment.  The  shrieks  of 
women  were  in  our  ears,  mingled  with  the  shouts  of  men,  the 
groans  of  the  wounded,  and  the  fierce  yelling  of  an  excited 
rabble.  The  constant  whizzing  of  bombs  filled  the  air,  and 
parapets  were  hurled  down.  A  round-shot  struck  the  cupola 
of  a  church  as  we  passed  nearly  under  it,  and  the  ornaments 
of  ages  came  tumbling  down,  blocking  up  the  thoroughfare. 
We  clambered  over  the  ruins  and  went  on.  There  was  no 
need  of  our  crouching  into  dark  shadows.  No  one  thought 
of  observing  us  now. 

"  We  are  near  the  house — will  you  still  make  the  attempt 
to  take  him  along  ?  "  inquired  Raoul,  referring  to  the  boy 
Narcisso. 


HELP   FROM    HEAVEN.  225 

"  By  all  means !  Show  me  the  place,"  replied  I,  half 
ashamed  at  having  almost  forgotten,  in  the  midst  of  our  own 
perils,  the  object  of  our  enterprise. 

Raoul  pointed  to  a  large  house  with  portals  and  a  great 
door  in  the  center. 

"  There,  captain — there  it  is." 

"  Go  under  that  shadow  and  wait.     I  shall  be  better  alone." 

This  was  said  in  a  whisper.  My  companion  did  as  di 
rected. 

"  I  approached  the  great  door  and  knocked  boldly. 

"  Quien  ?  cried  the  porter  within  the  saguan. 

"  Yo"  I  responded. 

The  door  was  opened  slowly  and  with  caution. 

"  Is  the  Senorito  Narcisso  within,"  I  inquired. 

The  man  answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"  Tell  him  a  friend  wishes  to  speak  with  him." 

After  a  moment's  hesitation  the  porter  dragged  himself 
lazily  up  the  stone  steps.  In  a  few  seconds  the  boy — a  fine 
bold-looking  lad,  whom  I  had  seen  during  our  trial — came 
leaping  down.  He  started  on  recognizing  me. 

"  Hush !  "  I  whispered,  making  signs  to  him  to  be  silent. 
"  Take  leave  of  your  friends,  and  meet  me  in  ten  minutes 
behind  the  church  of  La  Magdalena." 

"  Why,  sefior,"  inquired  the  boy  without  listening,  "  how 
have  you  got  out  of  prison  ?  I  have  just  been  to  the  gov 
ernor  on  your  behalf,  and " 

"  No  matter  how,"  I  replied,  interrupting  him  ;  "  follow 
my  directions — remember  your  mother  and  sisters  are  suffer 
ing." 

"  I  shall  come,"  said  the  boy  resolutely. 

"  Hasta  luego  !  "     (Lose  no  time  then).       "  Adios  I  "     ' 

We  parted  without  another  word.  I  rejoined  Raoul,  and 
we  walked  on  towards  La  Magdalena.  We  passed  through 
the  street  where  we  had  been  captured  on  the  preceding  night, 
'5 


226  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

but  it  was  so  altered  that  we  should  not  have  known  it.  Frag- 
ments  of  walls  were  thrown  across  the  patch,  and  here  and 
there  lay  masses  of  bricks  and  mortar  freshly  torn  down. 

Neither  patrol  nor  sentry  thought  of  troubling  us  now,  and 
our  strange  appearance  did  not  strike  the  attention  of  the 
passengers. 

We  reached  the  church,  and  Raoul  descended,  leaving  me 
to  wait  for  the  boy.  The  latter  was  true  to  his  word,  and  his 
slight  figure  soon  appeared  rounding  the  corner.  Without 
losing  a  moment  we  all  three  entered  the  subterranean  pas 
sage,  but  the  tide  was  still  high,  and  we  had  to  wait  for  the  ebb. 
This  came  at  length,  and,  clambering  over  the  rocks,  we  en 
tered  the  surf  and  waded  as  before.  After  an  hour's  toil  we 
reached  Punta  Hornos,  and  a  little  beyond  this  point  I  was 
enabled  to  hail  one  of  our  own  pickets,  and  to  pass  the  lines 
in  safety. 

At  ten  o'clock  I  was  in  my  own  tent — just  twenty-four 
hours  from  the  time  I  had  left  it,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
Clayley,  not  one  of  my  brother-officers  knew  anything  of  our 
adventure. 

Clayley  and  I  agreed  to  "  mount "  a  party  the  next  night 
and  carry  the  boy  to  his  friends.  This  we  accordingly  did, 
stealing  out  of  camp  after  tattoo.  It  would  be  impossible 
to  describe  the  rejoicing  of  our  new  acquaintances — the 
gratitude  lavishly  expressed — the  smiles  of  love  that  thanked 
us. 

We  should  have  repeated  our  visits  almost  nightly ;  but 
from  that  time  the  guerilleros  swarmed  in  the  back-country, 
and  small  parties  of  our  men,  straggling  from  camp,  were  cut 
off  daily.  It  was  necessary,  therefore,  for  my  friend  and  my 
self  to  chafe  under  a  prudent  impatience,  and  wait  for  the 
fall  of  Vera  Cruz. 


Mexican  Peccary  the  Terror  of  the  Hunters. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

A  SHOT  IN  THE  DARK. 

|  HE  "City  of  the 
True     Cross " 
fell    upon    the 
2  Qth  of  March, 
1847,  and  the  American 
flag    waved     over     the 
castle   of   San  Juan   de 
Ulloa.        The     enemy's 
troops  marched  out  upon 
parole,  most  of  them  tak 
ing   their  way   to   their 
distant  homes  upon  the  tablelands  of  the  Andes. 

The  American  garrison  entered  the  town,  but  the  body  of 
our  army  encamped  upon  the  green  plains  to  the  south. 

Here  we  remained  for  several  days,  awaiting  the  order  to 
march  into  the  interior. 

A  report  had  reached  us  that  the  Mexican  forces,  under 
the  celebrated  Santa  Anna,  were  concentrating  at  Puente 
Nacional ;  but  shortly  after  it  was  ascertained  that  the 

227 


228  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

enemy  would  make  his  next  stand  in  the  pass  of  the  Cerro 
Gordo,  about  half-way  between  Vera  Cruz  and  the  moun 
tains. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  city  we  were  relieved  from 
severe  duty,  and  Clayley  and  I,  taking  advantage  of 
this,  resolved  upon  paying  another  stolen  visit  to  our 
friends. 

Several  parties  of  light  horse  had  been  sent  out  to  scour  the 
country,  and  it  had  been  reported  that  the  principal  guerilla 
of  the  enemy  had  gone  farther  up  towards  the  Puente 
Nacional.  We  did  not,  therefore,  anticipate  any  danger 
from  that  source. 

We  started  after  nightfall,  taking  with  us  three  of  our  best 
men — Lincoln,  Chane,  and  Raoul.  The  boy  Jack  was  also 
of  the  party.  We  were  mounted  on  such  horses  as  could  be 
had.  The  major  had  kept  his  word  with  me,  and  I  bestrode 
the  black — a  splendid  thoroughbred  Arab. 

It  was  a  clear  moonlight,  and  as  we  rode  along  we  could 
not  help  noticing  many  changes. 

War  had  left  its  black  mark  upon  the  objects  around. 
The  ranches  by  the  road  were  tenantless — many  of  them 
wrecked,  not  a  few  of  them  entirely  gone  ;  where  they  had 
stood,  a  ray  of  black  ashes  marking  the  outline  of  their 
slight  walls.  Some  were  represented  by  a  heap  of  half-burned 
rubbish  still  smoking  and  smoldering. 

Various  pieces  of  household  furniture  lay  along  the  path 
torn  or  broken — articles  of  little  value,  strewed  by  the  wan 
ton  hand  of  the  ruthless  robber.  Here  a  petate,  or  a  palm  hat 
— there  a  broken  olla  ;  a  stringless  bandolon,  the  fragments 
of  a  guitar  crushed  under  the  angry  heel,  or  some  flimsy 
articles  of  female  dress  cuffed  into  the  dust ;  leaves  of 
torn  books — misas,  or  lives  of  the  Santisima  Maria — the 
labors  of  some  zealous  padre ;  old  paintings  of  the  saints, 
Guadalupe,  Remedies,  and  Dolores — of  the  Nino  of  Guatepec 


A   SHOT   IN   THE    DARK. 

• — rudely  torn  from  the  walls  and  perforated  by  the  sacrile 
gious  bayonet,  flung  into  the  road,  kicked  from  foot  to  foot 
— the  dishonored penates  of  a  conquered  people. 

A  painful  presentiment  began  to  harass  me.  Wild  stories 
had  lately  circulated  through  the  army — stories  of  the  mis 
conduct  of  straggling  parties  of  oar  soldiers  in  the  back- 
country.  These  had  stolen  from  camp,  or  gone  out  under 
the  pretext  of  "  beef-hunting." 

Hitherto  I  had  felt  no  apprehension,  not  believing  that 
any  small  party  would  carry  their  foraging  to  so  distant  a 
point  as  the  house  of  our  friends.  I  knew  that  any  detach 
ment,  commanded  by  an  officer,  would  act  in  a  proper 
manner;  and,  indeed,  any  respectable  body  of  American 
soldiers,  without  an  officer.  But  in  all  armies,  in  war-time, 
there  are  robbers,  who  have  thrown  themselves  into  the 
ranks  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  take  advantage  of  the 
license  of  a  stolen  foray. 

We  were  within  less  than  a  league  of  Don  Cosme's  rancho, 
and  still  the  evidence  of  ruin  and  plunder  continued — the 
evidence,  too,  of  a  retaliatory  vengeance  ;  for  on  entering  a 
glade,  the  mutilated  body  of  a  soldier  lay  across  the  path. 
He  was  upon  his  back,  with  open  eyes  glaring  upon  the 
moon.  His  tongue  and  heart  were  cut  out,  and  his  left  arm 
had  been  struck  off  at  the  elbow-joint.  Not  ten  steps  be 
yond  this  we  passed  another  one,  similarly  disfigured.  We 
were  now  on  the  neutral  ground. 

As  we  entered  the  forest  my  forebodings  became  painfully 
oppressive.  I  imparted  them  to  Clayley.  My  friend  had 
been  occupied  with  similar  thoughts. 

"  It  is  just  possible,"  said  he,  "  that  nobody  has  found 
the  way.  By  heavens  !  "  he  added,  with  an  earnestness  un 
usual  in  his  manner,  "  I  have  been  far  more  uneasy  about 
the  other  side — those  half-brigands  and  that  hellish  villain 
Dubrosc." 


230  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  On !  on !  "  I  ejaculated,  digging  the  spurs  into  the 
flanks  of  my  horse,  who  sprang  forward  at  a  gallop. 

I  could  say  no  more.  Clayley  had  given  utterance  to  my 
very  thoughts,  and  a  painful  feeling  shot  through  my 
heart. 

My  companions  dashed  after  me,  and  we  pressed  through 
the  trees  at  a  reckless  pace. 

We  entered  an  opening.  Raoul,  who  was  then  riding  in 
the  advance,  suddenly  checked  his  horse,  waving  on  us  to 
halt.  We  did  so. 

"  What  is  it,  Raoul  ?  "     I  asked  in  a  whisper. 

"  Something  entered  the  thicket,  captain." 

"  At  what  point  ? " 

"  There,  to  the  left ;  "  and  the  Frenchman  pointed  in  this 
direction.  "  I  did  not  see  it  well ;  it  might  have  been  a 
stray  animal." 

"  I  seed  it,  cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  closing  up ;  "  it  wur 
a  mustang." 

"  Mounted,  think  you  ?  " 

"  I  ain't  confident  ;  I  only  seed  its  hips.  We  were  a- 
gwine  too  fast  to  get  a  good  sight  on  the  critter ;  but  it  wur 
a  mustang — I  seed  that  cl'ar  as  daylight." 

I  sat  for  a  moment,  hesitating. 

"  I  kin  tell  yer  whether  it  wur  mounted,  cap'n,"  continued 
the  hunter,  "  if  yer'll  let  me  slide  down  and  take  a  squint  at 
the  critter's  tracks." 

"  It  is  out  of  our  way.  Perhaps  you  had  better,"  I  added, 
after  a  little  reflection.  "  Raoul,  you  and  Chane  dismount 
and  go  with  the  sergeant.  Hold  their  horses,  Jack." 

"  If  yer'll  not  object,  cap'n,"  said  Lincoln,  addressing  me 
in  a  whisper,  "  I'd  rayther  go  ithout  kump'ny.  Thar  ain't 
two  men  I'd  like,  in  a  tight  fix,  better'n  Rowl  and  Chane  ; 
but  I  hev  done  a  smart  chance  o'  trackin'  in  my  time,  an*  I 
allers  gets  along  better  when  I'm  by  myself," 


A   SHOT   IN   THE   DARK.  231 

"  Very  well,  sergeant ;  as  you  wish  it,  go  alone.  We  shall 
wait  for  you." 

The  hunter  dismounted,  and,  having  carefully  examined 
his  rifle,  strode  off  in  a  direction  nearly  opposite  to  that 
where  the  object  had  been  seen. 

I  was  about  to  call  after  him,  impatient  to  continue  our 
journey ;  but,  reflecting  a  moment,  I  concluded  it  was  better 
to  leave  him  to  his  "  instincts."  In  five  minutes  he  had  dis 
appeared,  having  entered  the  chapparal. 

We  sat  in  our  saddles  for  half  an  hour,  not  without  feel- 
ings  of  impatience.  I  was  beginning  to  fear  that  some 
accident  had  happened  to  our  comrade,  when  we  heard  the 
faint  crack  of  a  rifle,  but  in  a  direction  nearly  opposite  to  that 
which  Lincoln  had  taken. 

"  It's  the  sergeant's  rifle,  captain,"  said  Chane. 

"  Forward  !  "  1  shouted  ;  and  we  dashed  into  the  thicket 
in  the  direction  whence  the  report  came. 

We  had  ridden  about  a  hundred  yards  through  the  chap 
paral,  when  we  met  Lincoln  coming  up,  with  his  rifle 
shouldered. 

"  Well  ?  "   I  asked. 

"  '  Twur  mounted,  cap'n — tain't  now." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  sergeant  ?  " 

"  That  the  mustang  hed  a  yeller-belly  on  his  back,  and 
that  he  hain't  got  ne'er  a  one  now,  as  I  knows  on.  He  got 
cl'ar  away  from  me — that  is,  the  mustang.  The  yeller-belly 
didn't." 

"  What !  you  haven't ?  " 

"  But  I  hev,  cap'n.     I  had  good,  soun'  reason.'1 

"  What  reason  ?  "    I  demanded. 

"  In  the  first  place,  the  feller  wur  a  gurillye ;  and  in  the 
next,  he  wur  an  outpost  picket." 

"  How  know  you  this  ?  " 

"  Wai,  cap'n,  I  struck  his  trail  on  the  edge  of  the  thicket 


232  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  knowed  he  hedn't  kum  fur,  as  I  looked  out  for  sign  whai 
we  crossed  the  crik  bottom,  an'  seed  none.  I  tuk  the  back 
track,  an'  soon  come  up  with  his  joblots  under  a  big  button- 
wood.  He  had  been  thar  some  time,  for  the  ground  wur 
stamped  like  a  bullock-pen." 

"  Well  ? "  said  I,  impatient  to  hear  the  result. 

"  I  follered  him  up  till  I  seed  him  leanin'  for'ard  on  his 
horse,  clost  to  the  track  we  oughter  take.  From  this  I  sus- 
picioned  him  ;  but,  gettin'  a  leetle  closter,  I  seed  his  gun  an' 
fixin's  strapped  to  the  saddle.  So  I  tuk  a  sight,  and  whum- 
elled  him.  The  darned  mustang  got  away  with  his  traps. 
This  hyur's  the  only  thing  worth  takin'  from  his  carcage : 
it  wudn't  do  much  harm  to  a  grizzly  b'ar." 

"  Good  heaven  1 "  I  exclaimed,  grasping  the  glittering 
object  which  the  hunter  held  toward  me  ;  "  what  have  you 
done  ? " 

It  was  a  silver-handled  stiletto.  I  recognized  the  weapon. 
I  had  given  it  to  the  boy  Narcisso. 

"  No  harm,  I  reckin,  cap'n  ?  " 

"  The  man — the  Mexican  ?  How  did  he  look  ? — what 
like  ?  "  I  demanded  anxiously. 

"  Like  ?  "  repeated  the  hunter.  "  Why,  cap'n,  I  'ud  call 
him  as  ugly  a  skunk  as  yer  kin  skeer  up  any  whar — 'ceptin* 
it  mout  be  among  the  Digger  Injuns,  but  yer  kin  see  for 
yurself — he's  clost  by." 

I  leaped  from  my  horse,  and  followed  Lincoln  through 
the  bushes.  Twenty  paces  brought  us  to  the  object  of  our 
search,  upon  the  border  of  a  small  glade.  The  body  lay 
upon  its  back,  where  it  had  been  flung  by  the  rearing  mus 
tang.  The  moon  was  shining  full  upon  the  face.  I  stooped 
down  to  examine  it.  A  single  glance  was  sufficient.  I  had 
never  seen  the  features  before.  They  were  coarse  and 
swart,  and  the  long  black  locks  were  matted  and  woolly. 
He  was  a  zambo ;  and,  from  the  half-military  equipments 


A   SHOT    IN   THE    DARR.  23; 

that  clung  around  his  body,  I  saw  that  he  had  been  a  gueril- 
lero.  Lincoln  was  right. 

"  Wai,  cap'n,"  said  he,  after  I  had  concluded  my  exami 
nation  of  the  corpse,  "  ain't  he  a  picter  ?  " 

"  You  think  he  was  waiting  for  us  ?  " 

"  For  us  or  some  other  game — that's  sartin." 

"  There's  a  road  branches  off  here  to  Medellin,"  said 
Raoul,  coming  up. 

"  It  could  not  have  been  for  us  :  they  had  no  knowledge 
of  our  intention  to  come  out." 

"Possibly  enough,  captain,"  remarked  Clayley  in  a 
whisper  to  me.  "  That  villain  would  naturally  expect  us  to 
return  here.  He  will  have  learned  all  that  has  passed : 
Narcisso's  escape — our  visits.  You  know  he  would  watch 
night  and  day  to  trap  either  of  us." 

"  Oh,  heavens  !  "  I  exclaimed,  as  the  memory  of  this  man 
came  over  me ;  "  why  did  I  not  bring  more  men  ?  Clayley, 
we  must  go  on  now.  Slowly,  Raoul — slowly,  and  with  cau 
tion — do  you  hear  ?  " 

The  Frenchman  struck  into  the  path  that  led  to  the  rancho, 
and  rode  silently  forward.  We  followed  in  single  file,  Lin 
coln  keeping  a  look-out  some  paces  in  the  rear. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

CAPTURED    BY    GUERILLEROS. 

E  emerged  from  the  forest  arid  entered 
the  fields.  All  silent.  No  sign  or 
sound  of  a  suspicion.  The  house 
still  standing  and  safe. 

"  The  guerillero  must  have  been 
waiting  for  some  one  whom  he  ex 
pected  by  the  Medellin  Road.  Ride 
on,  Raoul  1  ' 

"  Captain,"  said  the  man  in  a  whis 
per,  and  halting  at  the  end  df  the  guardaraya. 
"  Well  ? " 

"  Some  one  passed  out  at  the  other  end." 
"  Some  of  the  domestics,  no  doubt.     You  may  ride  on, 

and never  mind  ;  I  will  take  the  advance  myself. " 

I  brushed  past,  and  kept  up  the  guardaraya.     In  a  few 
minutes  we  had  reached  the  lower  end  of  the  pond,  where 
we  halted.     Here  we  dismounted ;  and,  leaving  the  men 
234 


CAPTURED    BY   GUERILLEROS.  235 

Ciayley  and  I  stole  cautiously  forward.  We  could  see  no 
one,  though  everything  about  the  house  looked  as  usual. 

"  Are  they  abed,  think  you  ?  "  asked  Ciayley. 

"  No,  it  is  too  early — perhaps  below,  at  supper." 

"  Heaven  send  !  we  shall  be  most  happy  to  join  them.  I 
am  as  hungry  as  a  wolf." 

We  approached  the  house.     Still  all  silent. 

"  Where  are  the  dogs  ?  " 

We  entered. 

"  Strange  ! — no  one  stirring.     Ha  !  the  furniture  gone  !  " 

We  passed  into  the  porch  in  the  rear,  and  approached  the 
stairway. 

"  Let  us  go  below — can  you  see  any  light  ?  " 

I  stooped  and  looked  down.  I  could  neither  hear  nor 
see  any  signs  of  life.  I  turned,  and  was  gazing  up  at  my 
friend  in  wonderment,  when  my  eye  was  attracted  by  a 
strange  movement  upon  the  low  branches  of  the  olive-trees. 
The  next  moment  a  dozen  forms  dropped  to  the  ground ; 
and,  before  we  could  draw  sword  or  pistol,  myself  and  com 
rade  were  bound  hand  and  foot  and  flung  upon  our  backs. 

At  the  same  instant  we  heard  a  scuffle  down  by  the  pond. 
Two  or  three  shots  were  fired ;  and  a  few  minutes  after  a 
crowd  of  men  came  up,  bringing  with  them  Chane,  Lincoln, 
and  Raoul,  as  prisoners. 

We  were  all  dragged  out  into  the  open  ground  in  front  of 
the  rancho,  where  our  horses  were  also  brought  and  picketed. 

Here  we  lay  upon  our  backs,  a  dozen  guerilleros  remaining 
to  guard  us.  The  others  went  back  among  the  olives,  where 
we  could  hear  them  laughing,  talking,  and  yelling.  We  could 
see  nothing  of  their  movements,  as  we  were  tightly  bound, 
and  as  helpless  as  if  under  the  influence  of  nightmare. 

As  we  lay,  Lincoln  was  a  little  in  front  of  me.  I  could 
perceive  that  they  had  doubly  bound  him  in  consequence  of 
the  fierce  resistance  he  had  made,  He  had  killed  one  of 


336  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  guerilleros.  He  was  banded  and  strapped  all  over,  like 
a  mummy,  and  he  lay  gnashing  his  teeth  and  foaming  with 
fury.  Raoul  and  the  Irishman  appeared  to  take  things  more 
easily,  or  rather  more  recklessly. 

"  I  wonder  if  they  are  going  to  hang  us  to-night,  or  keep 
us  till  morning  ?  What  do  you  think,  Chane  ?  "  asked  the 
Frenchman,  laughing  as  he  spoke. 

"  Be  the  crass  !  they'll  lose  no  time — ye  may  depind  on 
that  same.  There's  not  an  ounce  av  tinder  mercy  in  Cheir 
black  hearts  ;  yez  may  swear  till  that,  from  the  way  this  eel- 
skin  cuts." 

"  I  wonder,  Murt,"  said  Raoul,  speaking  from  sheer  reck 
lessness,  "  if  St.  Patrick  couldn't  help  us  a  bit.  You  have 
him  round  your  neck,  haven't  you  ?  " 

"  Be  the  powers,  Rowl !  though  ye  be  only  jokin',  I've  a 
good  mind  to  thry  his  holiness  upon  thim.  I've  got  both 
him  and  the  mother  undher  me  jacket,  av  I  could  only  rache 
thim." 

"  Good !  "  cried  the  other.     "  Do  !  " 

"  It's  aisy  for  ye  to  say  «  Do,'  when  I  can't  budge  as  much 
as  my  little  finger." 

"  Never  mind.  I'll  arrange  that,"  answered  Raoul. 
"  Hola,  senor  !  "  shouted  he  to  one  of  the  guerilleros. 

"  Quien  ?  "  (Who  ?),  said  the  man,  approaching. 

"  Ustedsumismo'*  (Yourself),  replied  Raoul. 

"  Que  cosa  1 "  (What  is  it  ? ) 

"  This  gentleman,"  said  Raoul,  still  speaking  in  Spanish, 
and  nodding  towards  Chane,  "  has  a  pocket  full  of  money." 

A  hint  upon  that  head  was  sufficient ;  and  the  guerilleros, 
who,  strangely  enough,  seemed  to  have  overlooked  this  part 
of  their  duty,  immediately  commenced  rifling  our  pockets, 
ripping  them  open  with  their  long  knives.  They  were  not  a 
great  deal  the  richer  for  their  pains,  our  joint  purse  yielding 
about  twenty  dollars.  Upon  Chane  there  was  no  money 


CAPTURED   BY   GUERILLEROS.  237 

found ;  and  the  man  whom  Raoul  had  deceived  repaid  the 
latter  by  a  curse  and  a  couple  of  kicks. 

The  saint,  however,  turned  up,  attached  to  the  Irishman's 
neck  by  a  leathern  string ;  and  along  with  him  a  small 
crucifix,  and  a  pewter  image  of  the  Virgin  Mary. 

This  appeared  to  please  the  guerilleros  ;  and  one  of  them, 
bending  over  the  Irishman,  slackened  his  fastenings  a  little 
— still,  however,  leaving  him  bound. 

"  Thank  yer  honner,"  said  Chane  ;  "  that's  dacent  of  ye. 
That's  what  Misther  O'Connell  wud  call  amaylioration.  I'm 
a  hape  aysier  now. 

"  Mucho  bueno"  said  the  man,  nodding  and  laughing. 

"  Och,  be  my  sowl,  yes  ! — mucho  bueno.  But  I'd  have  no 
objecshun  if  yer  honner  wud  make  it  mucho  bettero.  Couldn't 
ye  just  take  a  little  turn  aff  me  wrist  here  ? — it  cuts  like  a 
rayzyer." 

I  could  not  restrain  myself  from  laughing,  in  which  Clay- 
ley  and  Raoul  joined  me ;  and  we  formed  a  chorus  that 
seemed  to  astonish  our  captors.  Lincoln  alone  preserved 
his  sullenness.  He  had  not  spoken  a  word. 

Little  Jack  had  been  placed  upon  the  ground  near  the 
hunter.  He  was  but  loosely  tied,  our  captors  not  thinking 
it  worth  while  to  trouble  themselves  about  so  diminutive  a 
subject.  I  had  noticed  him  wriggling  about,  and  using  all 
his  Indian  craft  to  undo  his  fastenings  ;  but  he  appeared 
not  to  have  succeeded,  as  he  now  lay  perfectly  still  again. 

While  the  guerilleros  were  occupied  with  Chane  and  his 
saints,  I  observed  the  boy  roll  himself  over  and  over,  until 
he  lay  close  up  against  the  hunter.  One  of  the  guerilleros, 
noticing  this,  picked  Jack  up  by  the  waistbelt,  and,  holding 
him  at  arm's  length,  shouted  out — 

"  Mir  a  camarados  !  que  briboncito  /"  (Look,  comrades  1 
what  a  little  rascal !) 

Amidst;  the  laughing  of  the  guerilleros,  Jack  was  swung 


238  THE   RIFLE  RANGERS. 

out,  and  fell  in  a  bed  of  shrubs  and  flowers,  where  we  saw 
no  more  of  him.  As  he  was  bound,  we  concluded  that  he 
could  not  help  himself,  and  was  lying  where  he  had  been 
thrown. 

My  attention  was  called  away  from  this  incident  by  an 
exclamation  from  Chane. 

"  Och !  blood,  turf,  and  murther  ?  If  there  isn't  that 
Frinch  scoundhrel  Dubrosc  !  " 

I  looked  up.     The  man  was  standing  over  us. 

"  Ah,  Monsieur  le  Capitaine  !  "  cried  he,  in  a  sneering 
voice,  "  comment  vous  portez-vous  ?  You  came  up  dove-hunt 
ing — eh  ?  The  birds,  you  see,  are  not  in  the  cot." 

Had  there  been  only  a  thread  around  my  body,  I  could 
not  have  moved  at  that  moment.  I  felt  cold  and  rigid  as 
marble.  A  thousand  agonizing  thoughts  crowded  upon  me 
at  once — my  doubts,  my  fears  on  her  account,  drowning  all 
ideas  of  personal  danger.  I  could  have  died  at  that  mo 
ment,  and  without  a  groan,  to  have  ensured  her  safety. 

There  was  something  so  fiendish,  so  utterly  hellish,  in  the 
character  of  this  man — a  polished  brutality,  too — that  caused 
me  to  fear  the  worst. 

u  Oh,  Heaven !  "  I  muttered,  "  in  the  power  of  such  a 
man  1  " 

"  Ho  1  "  cried  Dubrosc,  advancing  a  pace  or  two,  and  seizing 
my  horse  by  the  bridle,  "  a  splendid  mount !  An  Arab,  as 
I  live  1  Look  here,  Yanez  1 "  he  continued,  addressing  a 
guerillero  who  accompanied  him,  "  I  claim  this,  if  you  have 
no  objection." 

"  Take  him,"  said  the  other,  who  was  evidently  the  leader 
of  the  party. 

"  Thank  you.  And  you,  Monsieur  le  Capitaine,"  he  added 
ironically,  turning  to  me :  "  thank  you  for  this  handsome 
present.  He  will  just  replace  my  brave  mustang,  for  whose 
loss  I  expect  I  am  indebted  to  you,  you  great  cussed  brute  I — • 


CAPTURED    BY   GUERILLEROS.  239 

The  last  words  were  addressed  to  Lincoln ;  and,  as  though 
maddened  by  the  memory  of  La  Virgen,  he  approached  the 
latter,  and  kicked  him  fiercely  in  the  side. 

The  wanton  foot  had  scarcely  touched  his  ribs,  when  the 
hunter  sprang  up,  as  if  by  galvanic  action,  the  thongs  flying 
from  his  body  in  fifty  spiral  fragments.  With  a  bound  he 
leaped  to  his  rifle ;  and,  clutching  it — he  knew  it  was  empty 
— struck  the  astonished  Frenchman  a  blow  upon  the  head. 
The  latter  fell  heavily  to  the  earth.  In  an  instant  a  dozen 
knives  and  swords  were  aimed  at  the  hunter's  throat.  Sweep 
ing  his  rifle  around  him,  he  cleared  an  opening,  and,  dashing 
past  his  foes  with  a  wild  yell,  bounded  off  through  the  shrub 
bery.  The  guerilleros  followed,  screaming  with  rage ;  and 
we  could  hear  an  occasional  shot,  as  they  continued  the  pur 
suit  into  the  distant  woods.  Dubrosc  was  carried  back  into 
the  rancho,  apparently  lifeless. 

We  were  still  wondering  how  our  comrade  had  untied 
himself  when  one  of  the  guerilleros,  lifting  a  piece  of  the 
thong,  exclaimed : 

"  Carajo  !  ha  cartado  el  bribontito  / "  (The  little  rascal  has 
cut  it !) ;  and  the  man  darted  into  the  shrubbery,  in  search 
of  little  Jack.  It  was  with  us  a  moment  of  fearful  suspense. 
We  expected  to  see  poor  Jack  sacrificed  instantly.  We 
watched  the  man  with  intense  emotion,  as  he  ran  to  and 
fro. 

At  length  he  threw  up  his  arms  with  a  gesture  of  surprise, 
calling  out  at  the  same  time  : 

"  For  todos  santos!  se  fue  /"  (By  all  the  saints  1  he's 
gone !) 

"  Hurrah  !  "  cried  Chane ;  "  holies — such  a  gossoon  as 
that  boy  1 " 

Several  of  the  guerilleros  dived  into  the  thicket ;  but  their 
search  was  in  vain. 

We  were  now  separated,  so  that  we  could  no  longer  con- 


240 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


verse,  and  were  more  strictly  watched,  two  sentries  standing 
over  each  of  us.     We  spent   about   an   hour  in  this  way. 


A  Typical  Scene  in  Spanish  America.    A  Mexican  Ranche. 

Straggling  parties  at  intervals  came  back  from  the  pursuit ; 
and  we  could  gather,  from  what  we  overhead,  that  neither 
Lincoln  nor  Jack  had  yet  been  retaken. 


CAPTURED   BY  GUERILLEROS. 


241 


We  could  hear  talking  in  the  rear  of  the  rancho,  and  we 
felt  that  our  fate  was  being  determined  upon.  It  was  plain 
Dubrosc  was  not  in  command  of  the  party.  Had  he  been 
so,  we  should  never  have  been  carried  beyond  the  olive- 
grove.  It  appeared  we  were  to  be  hung  elsewhere. 

At  length  a  movement  was  visible  that  betokened  depar 
ture.  Our  horses  were  taken  away,  and  saddled  mules  were 
led  out  in  front  of  the  rancho.  Upon  these  we  were  set,  and 
strapped  tightly  to  the  saddles.  A  serape  was  passed  over 
each  of  us,  and  we  were  blinded  by  tapojos.  A  bugle  then 
sounded  the  "  forward."  We  could  hear  a  confusion  of 
noises,  the  prancing  of  many  hoofs,  and  the  next  moment  we 
felt  ourselves  moving  along  at  a  hurried  pace  through  the 
woods. 


Indian  Dancing  Girls  in  Mexico. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


A    BLIND    RIDE. 

E  rode  all  night.  The  mule- 
blinds,  although  preventing  us 
from  seeing  a  single  object, 
proved  to  be  an  advantage. 
They  saved  our  eyes  and  faces  from  the 
thorny  claws  of  the  acacia  and  mezquite. 
Without  hands  to  fend  them  off,  these 
would  have  torn  us  badly,  as  we  could  feel  them,  from  time  to 
time,  penetrating  even  the  hard  leather  of  the  tapojos.  Our 
thongs  chafed  us,  and  we  suffered  great  pain  from  the  mo 
notonous  motion,  Our  road  lay  through  thick  woods.  This 
we  could  perceive  from  the  constant  rustle  of  the  leaves  and 
the  crackling  of  branches,  as  the  cavalcade  passed  on. 
24.2 


A   BLIND    RIDE.  243 

Towards  morning  our  route  led  over  hills,  steep  and  dif 
ficult,  we  could  tell  from  the  attitudes  of  our  animals.  We 
had  passed  the  level  plains,  and  were  entering  among  the 
"  foot-hills  "  of  the  Mexican  mountains.  There  was  no  pass 
ing  or  repassing  of  one  another.  From  this  I  concluded  that 
we  were  journeying  along  a  narrow  road,  and  in  single  file. 

Raoul  was  directly  in  front  of  me,  and  we  could  converse 
at  times. 

"  Where  do  you  think  they  are  taking  us,  Raoul  ?  "  I  in 
quired,  speaking  in  French. 

"  To  Cenobio's  hacienda.     I  hope  so,  at  least." 

"  Why  do  you  hope  so  ?  " 

"  Because  we  shall  stand  some  chance  for  our  lives.  Ceno- 
bio  is  a  noble  fellow." 

"  You  know  him,  then  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain  ;  I  have  helped  him  a  little  in  the  contraband 
trade." 

"  A  smuggler,  is  he  ?  " 

"  Why,  in  this  country,  it  is  hardly  fair  to  call  it  by  so 
harsh  a  name,  as  the  Government  itself  dips  out  of  the  same 
dish.  Smuggling  here,  as  in  most  other  countries,  should 
be  looked  upon  rather  as  the  offspring  of  necessity  and  mal 
administration  than  as  a  vice  in  itself.  Cenobio  is  a  contra 
bandist,  and  upon  a  large  scale." 

"  And  you  are  a  political  philosopher,  Raoul !  " 

"  Bah  I  captain,  it  would  be  bad  if  I  could  not  defend  my 
own  calling,"  replied  my  comrade  with  a  laugh. 

"  You  think,  then,  that  we  are  in  the  hands  of  Cenobio's 
men." 

"  I  am  sure  of  it,  captain.  Jehosaphat  1  had  it  been 
Jarauta's  band  we  would  have  been  in  heaven — that  is,  our 
souls — and  our  bodies  would  now  be  embellishing  some  of  the 
trees  upon  Don  Cosme's  plantation.  Heaven  protect  us  from 
Jarauta  !  The  robber-priest  gives  but  short  shrift  to  any  of  his 


244  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

enemies  ;  but  if  he  could  lay  his  hands  on  your  humble  serv 
ant,  you  would  see  hanging  done  in  double-quick  time." 

"  Why  think  you  we  are  with  Cenobio's  guerilla  ?  " 

"  I  know  Yanez,  whom  we  saw  at  the  rancho.  He  is  one 
of  Cenobio's  officers,  and  the  leader  of  this  party,  which  is 
only  a  detachment.  I  am  rather  surprised  that  he  has 
brought  us  away,  considering  that  Dubrosc  is  with  him : 
there  must  have  been  some  influence  in  our  favor  which  I 
cannot  understand." 

I  was  struck  by  the  remark,  and  began  to  reflect  upon  ft 
in  silence.  The  voice  of  the  Frenchman  again  fell  upon  my 
ear. 

"  I  cannot  be  mistaken.  No — this  hill — it  runs  down  to 
the  San  Juan  River." 

Again,  after  a  short  interval,  as  we  felt  ourselves  fording 
a  stream,  Raoul  said : 

"  Yes,  the  San  Juan — I  know  the  stony  bottom — just  the 
depth,  too,  at  this  season." 

Our  mules  plunged  through  the  swift  current,  flinging  the 
spray  over  our  heads.  We  could  feel  the  water  up  to  the 
saddle-flaps,  cold  as  ice ;  and  yet  we  were  journeying  in  the 
hot  tropic.  But  we  were  fording  a  stream  fed  by  the  snows 
of  Orizava. 

"  Now  I  am  certain  of  the  road,"  continued  Raoul,  after 
we  had  crossed.  "  I  know  this  bank  well.  The  mule 
slides.  Look  out,  captain." 

"  For  what  ?  "  I  asked,  with  some  anxiety. 

The  Frenchman  laughed  as  he  replied : 

"  I  believe  I  am  taking  leave  of  my  senses.  I  called  to 
you  to  look  out,  as  if  you  had  the  power  to  help  yourself  in 
case  the  accident  should  occur." 

"  What  accident !  "  I  inquired,  with  a  nervous  sense  of 
some  impending  danger. 

"  Falling  over  ;  we  are  on  a  precipice  that  is  reckoned 


A   BLIND   RIDE.  245 

dangerous  on  account  of  the  clay  ;  if  your  mule  should 
stumble  here,  the  first  thing  you  would  strike  would  be  the 
branches  of  some  trees  five  hundred  feet  below,  or  there 
about." 

"  Good  Heaven  1  "  I  ejaculated  ;  "  is  it  so  ?  " 

"  Never  fear,  captain  ;  there  is  not  much  danger.  These 
mules  appear  to  be  sure-footed  ;  and  certainly,"  added  he, 
with  a  laugh,  "  their  loads  are  well  packed  and  tied." 

I  was  in  no  condition  just  then  to  relish  a  joke,  and  my 
companion's  humor  was  completely  thrown  away  upon  me. 
The  thought  of  my  mule  missing  his  foot  and  tumbling  over 
a  precipice,  while  I  was  stuck  to  him  like  a  centaur,  was 
anything  else  than  pleasant.  I  had  heard  of  such  accidents, 
and  the  knowledge  did  not  make  the  reflection  any  easier. 
I  could  not  help  muttering  to  myself  : 

"  Why,  in  the  name  of  mischief,  did  the  fellow  tell  me  this 
till  we  had  passed  it  ? " 

I  crouched  closer  to  the  saddle,  allowing  my  limbs  to  fol 
low  every  motion  of  the  animal,  lest  some  counteracting 
shock  might  disturb  our  joint  equilibrium.  I  could  hear 
the  torrent,  as  it  roared  and  hissed  far  below,  appearing 
directly  under  us  ;  and  the  "  sough  "  grew  fainter  and  fainter 
as  we  ascended. 

On  we  went,  climbing  up — up — up  ;  our  strong  mules 
straining  against  the  precipitous  path.  It  was  daybreak. 
There  was  a  faint  glimmer  of  light  under  our  tapojos.  At 
length  we  could  perceive  a  brighter  beam.  We  felt  a  sud 
den  glow  of  heat  over  our  bodies  ;  the  air  seemed  lighter  ; 
our  mules  walked  on  a  horizontal  path.  We  were  on  the 
ridge,  and  warmed  by  the  beams  of  the  rising  sun. 

"  Thank  Heaven  we  have  passed  it !  " 

I  could  not  help  feeling  thus  ;  and  yet  perhaps  we  were 
riding  to  an  ignominious  death  1 


r, 


Home  Life  of  the  Uncivilized  Indians  of  Spanish  America. 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

A   DRINK    A    LA    CHEVAL. 

HE  guerilleros  now  halted  and  dis 
mounted.  We  were  left  in  our  saddles. 
Our  mules  were  picketed  upon  long 
lazos,  and  commenced  browsing. 
They  carried  us  under  the  thorny 
branches  of  the  wild  locust.  The  maguey,  with  its  bill-shaped 
claws,  had  torn  our  uniform  overalls  to  shreds.  Our  limbs 
were  lacerated,  and  the  cactus  had  lodged  its  poisoned 
prickles  in  our  knees.  But  these  were  nothing  to  the  pain 
of  being  compelled  to  keep  our  saddles,  or  rather  saddle-trees 
246 


A   DRINK  A   LA   CHEVAL.  247 

—for  we  were  upon  the  naked  wood.  Our  hips  ached  in 
tensely,  and  our  limbs  smarted  under  the  chafing  thong. 

There  was  a  crackling  of  fires  around  us.  Our  captors 
were  cooking  their  breakfast,  and  chattering  gaily  over  their 
chocolate.  Neither  food  nor  drink  was  offered  to  us,  al 
though  we  were  both  thirsty  and  hungry.  We  were  kept  in 
this  place  for  about  an  hour. 

"  They  have  joined  another  party  here,"  said  Raoul,  "  with 
pack-mules." 

"  How  know  you  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  I  can  tell  by  the  shouts  of  the  arrieros.  Listen  1  —  they 
are  making  ready  to  start." 

There  was  a  mingling  of  voices  —  exclamations  addressed 
to  their  animals  by  the  arrieros,  such  as  : 

"  Mula  !  anda  !  vaya  /  kvantate  !  carra  !  mulct  —  mutita  ! 


In  the  midst  of  this  din  I  fancied  that  I  heard  the  voice 
of  a  woman. 

"  Can  it  be  -  ?  " 

The  thought  was  too  painful. 

A  bugle  at  length  sounded,  and  we  felt  ourselves  again 
moving  onward. 

Our  road  appeared  to  run  along  the  naked  ridge.  There 
were  no  trees,  and  the  heat  became  intense.  Our  scrape's, 
that  had  served  us  during  the  night,  should  have  been  dis 
pensed  with  now,  had  we  been  consulted  in  relation  to  the 
matter.  I  did  not  know,  until  some  time  after,  why  these 
blankets  had  been  given  to  us,  as  they  had  been  hitherto 
very  useful  in  the  cold.  It  was  not  from  any  anxiety  in  re 
gard  to  our  comfort,  as  I  learned  afterwards. 

We  began  to  suffer  from  thirst,  and  Raoul  asked  one  of 
the  guerilleros  for  water. 

"Carajo!"  answered  the  man,  "  it's  no  use:  you'll  be 
choked  by  and  by  with  something  else  than  thirst" 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

The  bruta.  jest  called  forth  a  peal  of  laughter  from  his 
comrades. 

About  noon  we  commenced  descending  a  long  hill.  I 
could  hear  the  sound  of  water  ahead. 

"  Where  are  we,  Raoul  ?  "     I  inquired  faintly. 

"  Going  down  to  a  stream — a  branch  of  the  Antigua." 

"  We  are  coming  to  another  precipice  ? "  I  asked,  with 
some  uneasiness,  as  the  roar  of  the  torrent  began  to  be 
heard  more  under  our  feet,  and  I  snuffed  the  cold  air  rising 
from  below. 

"  There  is  one,  captain.  There  is  a  good  road,  though, 
and  well  paved. ' 

"  Paved  I  why,  the  country  around  is  wild — is  it  not  ? " 

•'  True  ;  but  the  road  was  paved  by  the  priests." 

"  By  the  priests  1 "  I  exclaimed  with  some  astonishment. 

"  Yes,  captain  ;  there's  a  convent  in  the  valley,  near 
the  crossing  ;  that  is,  there  was  one.  It  is  now  a  ruin." 

We  crept  slowly  down,  our  mules  at  times  seeming  to 
walk  on  their  heads.  The  hissing  of  the  torrent  gradually 
grew  louder,  until  our  ears  were  filled  with  its  hoarse  rushing. 

I  heard  Raoul  below  me  shouting  some  words  in  a  warning 
voice,  when  suddenly  he  seemed  borne  away,  as  if  he  had 
been  tumbled  over  the  precipice. 

I  expected  to  feel  myself  next  moment  launched  after  him 
into  empty  space,  when  my  mule,  uttering  a  loud  whinny, 
sprang  forward  and  downward. 

Down — down  !  the  next  leap  into  eternity  !  No — she 
keeps  her  feet  !  she  gallops  along  a  level  path  !  I  am  safe  ! 

I  was  swung  about  until  the  thongs  seemed  to  cut  through 
my  limbs  ;  and  with  a  heavy  plunge  I  felt  myself  carried 
thigh- deep  into  water. 

Here  the  animal  suddenly  halted. 

As  soon  as  I  could  gain  breath  I  shouted  at  the  top  of 
my  voice  for  the  Frenchman, 


A   DRINK  A   LA   CHEVAL.  249 

"  Here,  captain  !  "  he  answered,  close  by  my  side,  but,  as 
I  fancied,  with  a  strange,  gurgling  voice. 

"  Are  you  hurt,  Raoul  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Hurt  ?     No,  captain." 

"  What  was  it,  then  ?  " 

"  Oh !  I  wished  to  warn  you,  but  I  was  too  late.  I 
might  have  known  they  would  stampede,  as  the  poor  brutes 
have  been  no  better  treated  than  ourselves.  Hear  how 
they  draw  it  up  !  " 

"  Good  God  1  I  am  choking !  "  I  exclaimed,  listening  to 
the  water  as  it  filtered  through  the  teeth  of  my  mule. 

"  Do  as  I  do,  captain,"  said  Raoul,  speaking  as  if  from 
the  bottom  of  a  well. 

"  How  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Bend  down,  and  let  the  water  run  into  your  mouth." 

This  accounted  for  Raoul's  voice  sounding  so  strangely. 

"  They  may  not  give  us  a  drop,"  continued  he.  "  It  is  our 
only  chance." 

"  I  have  not  even  that,"  I  replied,  after  having  vainly 
endeavored  to  reach  the  surface  with  my  face. 

"  Why  ?  "  asked  my  comrade. 

"  I  cannot  reach  it." 

"  How  deep  are  you  ?  " 

"  To  the  saddle-flaps. " 

"  Ride  this  way,  captain.     It's  deeper  here.  '* 

"  How  can  I  ?  My  mule  is  her  own  master,  as  far  as  I 
am  concerned." 

"  Parbleu  !  "  said  the  Frenchman.  "  I  did  not  think  of 
that." 

But,  whether  to  oblige  me,  or  moved  by  a  desire  to  cool 
her  flanks,  the  animal  plunged  forward  into  a  deeper  part  of 
the  stream. 

After  straining  myself  to  the  utmost,  I  was  enabled  to 
"  duck  "  my  head.  In  this  painful  position  I  contrived  to 


THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

get  a  couple  of  swallows  ;  but  I  should  think  I  took  in  quite 
as  much  at  my  nose  and  ears. 

Clayley  and  Chane  followed  our  example,  the  Irishman 
swearing  loudly  that  it  was  a  "  burnin'  shame  to  make  a 
dacent  Christyin  dhrink  like  a  horse  in  winkers." 

Our  guards  now  commenced  driving  our  mules  out  of  the 
water.  As  we  were  climbing  the  bank,  someone  touched 
me  lightly  upon  the  arm  ;  and  at  the  same  instant  a  voice 
whispered  in  my  ear,  "  Courage,  captain  !  " 

I  started — it  was  the  voice  of  a  female.  I  was  about  to 
reply,  when  a  soft,  small  hand  was  thrust  under  the  tapojo, 
and  pushed  something  between  my  lips.  The  hand  was  im 
mediately  withdrawn,  and  I  heard  the  voice  urging  a  horse 
onward. 

The  clatter  of  hoofs,  as  of  a  horse  passing  me  in  a  gallop, 
convinced  me  that  this  mysterious  agent  was  gone,  and  I 
remained  silent. 

"  Who  can  it  be  ?  Jack  ?  No.  Jack  has  a  soft  voice — a 
small  hand ;  but  how  could  he  be  here,  and  with  his  hands 
free  ?  No — no — no  1  Who  then  ?  It  was  certainly  the 
voice  of  a  woman — the  hand,  too.  What  other  should  have 
made  this  demonstration  ?  I  know  no  other — it  must — it 
must  have  been " 

I  continued  my  analysis  of  probabilities,  always  arriving 
at  the  same  result.  It  was  both  pleasant  and  painful :  pleas 
ant  to  believe  she  was  thus,  like  an  angel,  watching  over  me 
— painful  to  think  that  she  might  be  in  the  power  of  my  fiend 
ish  enemy. 

But  is  she  so  ?  Lincoln's  blow  may  have  ended  him.  We 
have  heard  nothing  of  him  since.  Would  to  heaven 1 

It  was  an  impious  wish,  but  I  could  not  control  it. 

"  What  have  I  got  between  my  lips  ?  A  slip  of  paper  I 
Why  was  it  placed  there,  and  not  in  my  bosom  or  my  button 
hole  !  Ha  I  there  is  more  providence  in  the  manner  of  the 


A   DRINK   A    LA   CHEVAL.  251 

act  than  at  first  thought  appears.  How  could  I  have  taken 
it  from  either  the  one  or  the  other,  bound  as  I  am  ?  More 
over,  it  may  contain  what  would  destroy  the  writer,  if  known 

to Cunning  thought — for  one  so  young  and  innocent, 

too — but  love " 

I  pressed  the  paper  against  the  tapojo,  covering  it  with 
my  lips,  so  as  to  conceal  it  in  case  the  blind  should  be 
removed. 

"  Halted  again  ?  " 

"  It  is  the  ruin,  captain — the  old  convent  of  Santa  Bernar- 
dina." 

"  But  why  do  they  halt  here  ? 

"  Likely  to  noon  and  breakfast — that  on  the  ridge  was 
only  their  desayuna.  The  Mexicans  of  the  tierra  caliente  never 
travel  during  midday.  They  will  doubtless  rest  here  until 
the  cool  of  the  evening." 

"  I  trust  they  will  extend  the  same  favor  to  us,"  said  Clay- 
ley  :  "  Heaven  knows  we  stand  in  need  of  rest.  I'd  give  them 
three  months'  pay  for  an  hour  upon  the  treadmill,  only  to 
stretch  my  limbs." 

"  They  will  take  us  down,  I  think — not  on  our  account, 
but  to  ease  the  mules.  Poor  brutes  I  they  are  no  parties  to 
this  transaction." 

Raoul's  conjecture  proved  correct.  We  were  taken  out  of 
our  saddles,  and,  being  carefully  bound  as  before,  we  were 
hauled  into  a  damp  room,  and  flung  down  upon  the  floor. 
Our  captors  went  out.  A  heavy  door  closed  after  them,  and 
we  could  hear  the  regular  footfall  of  a  sentry  on  the  stone 
pavement  without.  For  the  first  time  since  our  capture  we 
were  left  alone.  This  my  comrades  tested  by  rolling  them 
selves  all  over  the  floor  of  our  prison  to  see  if  any  one  was 
present  with  us.  It  was  but  a  scant  addition  to  our  liberty  : 
but  we  could  converse  freely,  and  that  was  something. 


Extracting  Oil  from  Turtles'  Eggs.    A  Substitute  for  Butter. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

AN    ODD    WAY    OF    OPENING    A    LETTER. 

AS  any  of  you   heard   of   Dubrosc    on   the 
route  ?  "  I  inquired  of  my  comrades. 

No  ;  nothing  had  been  heard  of  him  since 
the  escape  of  Lincoln. 

"  Faix,    captain,"    said    the    Irishman,    "  it's 
meself  that  thinks  Mister  Dubrosc  won't  throuble 
any  ov  us  any  more.     It  was  a  purty  lick  that  same, 
ayquil  to  ould  Donnybrook  itself." 
"It  is  not  easy  to  kill  a  man  with  a  single  blow  of  a  clubbed 
rifle,"   observed   Clayley — "  unless,  indeed,    the    lock    may 
have  struck  into  his  skull.     But  we  are  still  living,  and  I  think 
that  is  some  evidence  that  the  deserter  is  dead.     By  the  way, 
257 


AN   ODD   WAY   OF   OPENING   A   LETTER. 

how  has  the  fellow  obtained  such  influence  as  he  appeared  to 
have  among  them,  and  so  soon,  too  ?  " 

"  I  think,  lieutenant,"  replied  Raoul,  "  Monsieur  Dubrosc 
has  been  here  before." 

"  Ha !  say  you  so  ?  "  I  inquired,  with  a  feeling  of  anxiety. 

"  I  remember,  captain,  some  story  current  at  Vera  Cruz, 
about  a  Creole  having  married  or  run  away  with  a  girl  of 
good  family  there.  I  am  almost  certain  Dubrosc  was  the 
name;  but  it  was  before  my  time,  and  I  am  unacquainted 
with  the  circumstances.  I  remember,  however,  that  the  fel 
low  was  a  gambler,  or  something  of  the  sort  and  the  occur 
rence  made  much  noise  in  the  country." 

I  listened  with  a  sickening  anxiety  to  every  word  of  these 
details.  There  was  a  painful  correspondence  between  them 
and  what  I  already  knew.  The  thought  that  this  monster 
could  be  in  any  way  connected  with  her  was  a  disagreeable  one. 
I  questioned  Raoul  no  further.  Even  could  he  have  detailed 
every  circumstance,  I  should  have  dreaded  the  relation. 

Our  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  creaking  of  a 
rusty  hinge.  The  door  opened,  and  several  men  entered. 
Our  blinds  were  taken  off,  and,  oh,  how  pleasant  to  look 
upon  the  light !  The  door  had  been  closed  again,  and  there 
was  only  one  small  grating,  yet  the  slender  beam  through 
this  was  like  the  bright  noonday  sun.  Two  of  the  men 
carried  earthen  platters  filled  with  frijoles,  a  single  tortilla  in 
each  platter.  They  were  placed  near  our  heads,  one  for 
each  of  us. 

"  It's  blissid  kind  of  yez,  gentlemen,"  said  Chane ;  "  but 
how  are  we  goin'  to  ate  it,  if  ye  plaze  ? " 

"  The  plague  !  "  exclaimed  Clayley :  "  do  they  expect  us  to 
lick  this  up  without  either  hands,  spoons,  or  knives  ? " 

"  Won't  you  allow  us  the  use  of  our  fingers  ?  "  asked  Raoul. 
speaking  to  one  of  the  guerilleros. 

"  No,"  replied  the  man  gruffly. 


254  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  How  do  you  expect  us  to  eat  them  ? " 

"  With  your  mouths,  as  brutes  should.     What  else  ?  " 

"  Thank  you,  sir  ;  you  are  very  polite." 

"  If  you  don't  choose  that,  you  can  leave  it  alone,"  added 
the  Mexican,  going  out  with  his  companions,  and  closing  the 
door  behind  them. 

"  Thank  you,  gentlemen  !  "  shouted  the  Frenchman  after 
them,  in  a  tone  of  subdued  anger.  "  I  won't  please  you  so 
much  as  to  leave  it  alone.  By  my  word !  "  he  continued, 
"  we  may  be  thankful — it's  more  than  I  expected  from  Yanez 
— that  they've  given  us  any.  Something's  in  the  wind."  So 
saying,  the  speaker  rolled  himself  on  his  breast,  bringing  his 
head  to  the  dish. 

"  Och  1  the  mane  haythins  1  "  cried  Chane,  following  the 
example  set  by  his  comrade ;  "  to  make  dacent  men  ate  like 
brute  bastes  1  Och  1  murder  an'  ouns !  " 

"  Come,  captain  ;  shall  we  feed  ?  "  asked  Clayley. 

"  Go  on.     Do  not  wait  for  me,"  I  replied. 

Now  was  my  time  to  read  the  note.  I  rolled  myself  under 
the  grating,  and,  after  several  efforts,  succeeded  in  gaining 
my  feet.  The  window,  which  was  not  much  larger  than  a 
pigeon-hole,  widened  inwards  like  the  embrasure-  of  a  gun-bat 
tery.  The  lower  slab  was  just  the  height  of  my  chin  ;  and 
upon  this,  after  a  good  deal  of  dodging  and  lip-jugglery,  I 
succeeded  in  spreading  out  the  paper  to  its  full  extent. 

"  What  on  earth  are  you  at,  captain  ? "  inquired  Clayley, 
who  had  watched  my  maneuvers  with  some  astonishment. 

Raoul  and  the  Irishman  stopped  their  plate-licking  and 
looked  up. 

"  Hush  1  go  on  with  your  dinners — not  a  word  I  "  I  read 
as  follows : 

"  To-night  your  cords  shall  be  cut,  and  you  must  escape 
as  you  best  can  afterwards.  Do  not  take  the  road  back,  as 
you  will  be  certain  to  be  pursued  in  that  direction  ;  moreover. 


AN    ODD   WAY   OF  OPENING  A    LETTER.      255 

you  run  the  risk  of  meeting  other  parties  of  the  guerilla. 
Make  for  the  National  Road  at  San  Juan  or  Manga  de  Clavo. 
Your  posts  are  already  advanced  beyond  these  points.  The 
Frenchman  can  easily  guide  you.  Courage,  captain  !  Adieu  1 

"  P.  S. — They  waited  for  you.  I  had  sent  one  to  warn 
you :  but  he  has  either  proved  traitor  or  missed  the  road. 
Adieu !  adieu !  " 

"  Good  heavens  !  "  I  involuntarily  exclaimed,  "  the  man 
that  Lincoln " 

I  caught  the  paper  into  my  lips  again,  and  chewed  it  into 
a  pulp,  to  avoid  the  danger  of  its  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  guerilla. 

I  remained  turning  over  its  contents  in  my  mind.  I  was 
struck  with  the  masterly  style — the  worldly  cunning  exhibited 
by  the  writer.  There  was  something  almost  unfeminine 
about  it.  I  could  not  help  being  surprised  that  one  so  young, 
and  hitherto  so  secluded  from  the  world,  should  possess  such 
a  knowledge  of  men  and  things.  I  was  already  aware  of  the 
presence  of  a  powerful  intellect,  but  one,  as  I  thought,  alto 
gether  unacquainted  with  practical  life  and  action.  Then 
there  was  the  peculiarity  of  her  situation. 

Is  she  a  prisoner  like  myself  ?  or  is  she  disguised,  and  per 
iling  her  life  to  save  mine  ?  or  can  she  be Patience  1  To 
night  may  unravej  the  mystery. 


Indian  Funeral  Rites. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

THE    COBRA-DI-CAPELLO. 

P. to  this  moment  my  attention  had  been  en 
grossed  with  the  contents  of  the  note,  and  I 
had  no  thought  of  looking  outward.     I  raised 
myself  on  tiptoe,  stretching  my  neck  as  far 
as  I  could  into  the  embrasure. 

A  golden  sunlight  was  pouring  down  upon 
broad  green  leaves,  where  the  palms  grew  wildly. 
Red  vines  hung  in  festoons,  like  curtains  of  scarlet 
satin.  There  were  bands  of  purple  and  violet — the  maroon 
colored  morus,  and  the  snowy  flowers  of  the  magnolia — 
a  glittering  opal.  Orange-trees,  with  white,  waxlike  flowers, 
were  bending  under  their  golden  globes.  The  broad  plumes 
of  the  corozo  palm  curved  gracefully  over,  their  points  trailing 
downwards  and  without  motion. 
256 


THE   COBRA-DI-CAPELLO.  257 

A  clump  of  these  grew  near,  their  naked  stems  laced  by  a 
parasite  of  the  lliana  species,  which  rose  from  the  earth,  and, 
traversing  diagonally,  was  lost  in  the  feathery  frondage 
above.  These  formed  a  canopy,  underneath  which,  from 
tree  to  tree,  three  hammocks  were  extended.  One  was 
empty ;  the  other  two  were  occupied.  The  elliptical  out 
lines,  traceable  through  the  gauzy  network  of  Indian  grass, 
proved  that  the  occupants  were  females. 

Their  faces  were  turned  from  me.  They  lay  motionless  : 
they  were  asleep. 

As  I  stood  gazing  upon  this  picture,  the  occupant  of  the 
nearest  hammock  awoke,  arvd  turning,  with  a  low  murmur 
upon  her  lips,  again  fell  asleep.  Her  face  was  now  towards 
me.  My  heart  leaped,  and  my  whole  frame  quivered  with 
emotion.  I  recognized  the  features  of  Guadalupe  Resales. 

One  limb,  cased  in  silk,  had  fallen  over  the  selvage  of  her 
pendent  couch,  and  hung  negligently  down.  The  small  satin 
slipper  had  dropped  off  and  was  lying  on  the  ground.  Her 
head  rested  upon  a  silken  pillow,  and  a  band  of  her  long 
black  hair,  that  had  escaped  from  the  comb  straggling  over 
the  cords  of  the  hammock,  trailed  along  the  grass.  Her 
bosom  rose  with  a  gentle  heaving  above  the  network  as  she 
breathed  and  slept. 

My  heart  was  full  of  mixed  emotions — surprise,  pleasure, 
love,  pain.  Yes,  pain  ;  for  she  could  thus  sleep — sleep 
sweetly,  tranquilly — while  I,  within  a  few  paces  of  her  couch, 
was  bound  and  brutally  treated  ! 

"  Yes,  she  can  sleep ! "  I  muttered  to  myself,  as  my 
chagrin  predominated  in  the  tumult  of  emotions.  "  Ha ! 
heavens !  " 

My  attention  was  attracted  from  the  sleeper  to  a  fearful 

object.     I  had  noticed  a  spiral-like  appearance  upon  the 

lliana.     It  had  caught  my  eye  once  or  twice  while  looking 

at  the  sleeper ;  but  I  had  not  dwelt  upon  it,  taking  it  for  one 

17 


258  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

vine  twined  around  another — a  peculiarity  often  met  with  in 
the  forests  of  Mexico. 

A  bright  sparkle  now  attracted  my  eye  ;  and,  on  looking 
at  the  object  attentively,  I  discovered,  to  my  horror,  that  the 
spiral  protuberance  upon  the  vine  was  nothing  else  than  the 
folds  of  a  snake !  Squeezing  himself  silently  down  the 
parasite — for  he  had  come  from  above — the  reptile  slowly 
uncoiled  two  or  three  of  the  lowermost  rings,  and  stretched 
his  glistening  neck  horizontally  over  the  hammock.  Now, 
for  the  first  time,  I  perceived  the  horned  protuberance  on 
his  head,  and  recognized  the  dreaded  reptile — the  macaurel 
(the  cobra  of  America). 

In  this  position  he  remained  for  some  moments,  perfectly 
motionless,  his  neck  proudly  curved  like  that  of  a  swan, 
while  his  head  was  not  twelve  inches  from  the  face  of  the 
sleeper.  I  fancied  that  I  could  see  the  soft  down  upon  her 
lip  playing  under  his  breath  ! 

He  now  commenced  slowly  vibrating  from  side  to  side, 
while  a  low  hissing  sound  proceeded  from  his  open  jaws. 
His  horns  projected  out,  adding  to  the  hideousness  of  his 
appearance  ;  and  at  intervals  his  forked  tongue  shot  forth, 
glancing  in  the  sun  like  a  purple  diamond. 

He  appeared  to  be  gloating  over  his  victim,  in  the  act  of 
charming  her  to  death.  I  even  fancied  that  her  lips  moved, 
and  her  head  began  to  stir  backward  and  forward,  following 
the  oscillations  of  the  reptile. 

All  this  I  witnessed  without  the  power  to  move.  My  soul 
as  well  as  my  body  was  chained ;  but,  even  had  I  been  free, 
I  could  have  offered  no  help.  I  knew  that  the  only  hope  of 
her  safety  lay  in  silence.  Unless  disturbed  and  angered,  the 
snake  might  not  bite  ;  but  was  he  not  at  that  moment  dis 
tilling  some  secret  venom  upon  her  lips  ? 

"  Oh,  Heaven  1 "  I  gasped  out,  in  the  intensity  of  my 
fears,  "  is  this  the  fiend  himself  ?  She  moves  1 — now  he  will 


THE   COBRA-DI-CAPELLO.  25Q 

strike  I  Not  yet — she  is  still  again.  Now — now  ! — mercy  I 
she  trembles  ! — -the  hammock  shakes — she  is  quivering  undei 
the  fascin Ha  1 " 

A  shot  rang  from  the  walls — the  snake  suddenly  jerked 
back  his  head — his  rings  flew  out,  and  he  fell  to  the  earth; 
writhing  as  if  in  pain  1 

The  girls  started  with  a  scream,  and  sprang  simultaneously 
from  their  hammocks. 

Grasping  each  other  by  the  hand,  with  terrified  looks  they 
rushed  from  the  spot  and  disappeared. 

Several  men  ran  up,  ending  the  snake  with  their  sabers. 
One  of  them  stooped,  and,  examining  the  carcass  of  the  dead 
reptile,  exclaimed : 

"  Carai!  there  is  a  hole  in  his  head — he  has  been  shot!  " 

A  moment  after,  half  a  dozen  of  the  guerilleros  burst  open 
the  door  and  rushed  in,  crying  out  as  they  entered : 

"  Quien  tira  ?  "  (Who  fired  ?) 

"  What  do  you  mean  !  "  angrily  asked  Raoul,  who  had 
been  in  ill-humor  ever  since  the  guerillero  had  refused  him 
a  draught  of  water. 

"  I  ask  you  who  fired  the  shot  ?  "  repeated  the  man. 

"  Fired  the  shot  1  "  echoed  Raoul,  knowing  nothing  of  what 
had  occurred  outside.  "  We  look  like  firing  a  shot,  don't 
we  ?  If  I  possessed  that  power,  my  gay  friend,  the  first  use 
I  should  make  of  it  would  be  to  send  a  bullet  through  that 
clumsy  skull  of  yours." 

"  Santissima  ! "  ejaculated  the  Mexican,  with  a  look  of 
astonishment.  "  It  could  not  be  these — they  are  all  tied  !  " 

And  the  Mexicans  passed  out  again,  leaving  us  to  our 
reflections. 


The  Monkey  Duel.    The  Peace-Maker's  Attack  from  the  Rear. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

THE   HEAD-QUARTERS    OF   THE   GUERILLA. 


INE     were      anything 
but  agreeable.     I  was 
pained  and  puzzled.    I 
was   pained   to    think 
that  she — dearer  to  me  than  life 
— was  thus  exposed  to  the  dan 
gers  that  surrounded  us.    It  was 
her  sister  that  had  occupied  the 
other  hammock. 

"  Are  they  alone  ?     Are  they 
prisoners  in  the  hands  of  these 
half-robbers  ?     May  not  their  hospitality  to  us  have  brought 
them  under  proscription  ?     And  are  they  not  being  carried 
— father,  mother,  and  all — before  some   tribunal  ?     Or  are 
they   traveling   for  protection   with   this    band — protection 
against  the  less  scrupulous  robbers  that  infest  the  country  ?  " 
It  was  not  uncommon  upon  the  Rio  Grande,  when  rich 
260 


THE    HEAD-QUARTERS   OF   THE   GUERILLA.      261 

families  journeyed  from  point  to  point,  to  pay  for  an  escort 
of  this  sort.  This  may  elucidate 

"  But  I  tell  yez  I  did  hear  a  crack ;  and,  be  me  sowl !  it 
was  the  sargint's  rifle,  or  I've  lost  me  sinses  intirely." 

"  What  is  it  ? "  I  asked,  attracted  to  the  conversation  of 
my  comrades. 

"  Chane  says  he  heard  a  shot,  and  thinks  it  was  Lincoln's," 
answered  Clayley. 

"  His  gun  has  a  quare  sound,  captain,"  said  the  Irishman, 
appealing  to  me.  "  It's  diffirint  intirely  from  a  Mexican 
piece,  and  not  like  our  own  nayther.  It's  a  way  he  has  in 
loadin'  it." 

«  Well— what  of  that  ?  " 

"  Why,  Raowl  says  one  of  them  axed  him  who  fired.  Now, 
I  heerd  a  shot,  for  my  ear  was  close  till  the  door  here.  It 
was  beyant  like  ;  but  I  cud  swear  upon  the  blissed  crass  it 
was  ayther  the  sargint's  rifle  or  another  as  like  it  as  two 
pays." 

"  It  is  very  strange !  "  I  muttered,  half  in  soliloquy,  for 
the  same  thought  had  occurred  to  myself. 

"  I  saw  the  boy,  captain,"  said  Raoul — "  I  saw  him  cross 
ing  when  they  opened  the  door." 

"  The  boy  1 — what  boy  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  The  same  we  brought  out  of  the  town." 

"  Ha  !  Narcisso  ! — you  saw  him  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  and,  if  I'm  not  mistaken,  the  white  mule  that  the 
old  gentleman  rode  to  camp.  I  think  that  the  family  is 
with  the  guerilla,  and  that  accounts  for  our  being  still 
alive." 

A  new  light  flashed  upon  me.  In  the  incidents  of  the  last 
twenty  hours  I  had  never  once  thought  of  Narcisso.  Now 
all  was  clear — clear  as  daylight.  The  zambo  whom  Lincoln 
had  killed — poor  victim ! — was  our  friend,  sent  to  warn  us 
of  danger ;  the  dagger,  Narcisso's — a  token  for  us  to  trust 


262  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

him.  The  soft  voice — the  small  hand  thrust  under  the 
tapojo — yes,  all  were  Narcisso's  ! 

A  web  of  mystery  was  torn  to  shreds  in  a  single  moment 
The  truth  did  not  yield  gratification.  No — but  the  contrary. 
I  was  chagrined  at  the  indifference  exhibited  in  another 
quarter. 

"  She  must  know  that  I  am  here,  since  her  brother  is  master 
of  the  fact — here,  bleeding  and  bound.  Yet  where  is  her 
sympathy  ?  She  sleeps  !  She  journeys  within  a  few  paces 
of  me,  where  I  am  tied  painfully ;  yet  not  a  word  of  conso 
lation.  No  !  She  is  riding  upon  her  soft  cushion,  or  carried 
upon  a  litera,  escorted,  perhaps,  by  this  accomplished  villain, 
who  plays  the  gallant  cavalier  upon  my  own  barb  !  They 
converse  together,  perhaps  of  the  poor  captives  in  their 
train,  and  with  jest  and  ridicule — he  at  least ;  and  she  can 
hear  it,  and  then  fling  herself  into  her  soft  hammock  and 
sleep — sleep  sweetly — calmly  1  " 

These  bitter  reflections  were  interrupted.  The  door 
creaked  once  more  upon  its  hinges.  Half  a  dozen  of  our 
captors  entered.  Our  blinds  were  put  on,  and  we  were 
carried  out  and  mounted  as  before. 

In  a  few  minutes  a  bugle  rang  out,  and  the  route  was 
resumed. 

We  were  carried  up  the  stream  bottom — a  kind  of  glen, 
or  canada.  We  could  feel  by  the  cool  shade  and  the  echoes 
that  we  were  traveling  under  heavy  timber.  The  tor 
rent  roared  in  our  ears,  and  the  sound  was  not  unpleasant. 
Twice  or  thrice  we  forded  the  stream,  and  sometimes  left  it, 
returning  after  having  traveled  a  mile  or  so.  This  was  to 
avoid  the  canons,  where  there  is  no  path  by  the  water.  We 
then  ascended  a  long  hill,  and  after  reaching  its  summit 
commenced  going  downwards. 

"  I  know  this  road  well,"  said  Raoul.  "  We  are  going 
down  to  the  hacienda  of  Cenobio." 


THE    HEAD-QUARTERS   OF   THE   GUERILLA.      263 

•'  Pardieu /"  he  continued.  "I  ought  to  know  this 
hill  ? " 

"  For  what  reason  ?  " 

"  First,  captain,  because  I  have  carried  many  a  bulto  of 
cochineal  and  many  a  bale  of  smuggled  tobacco  over  it ; 
ay,  and  upon  nights  when  my  eyes  were  of  as  little  service 
to  me  as  they  are  at  present." 

"  I  thought  that  you  contrabandistas  hardly  needed  the 
precaution  of  dark  nights  ?  " 

"  True,  at  times ;  but  there  were  other  times  when  the 
Government  became  lynx-eyed,  and  then  smuggling  was  no 
joke.  We  had  some  sharp  skirmishing.  Carrambo  !  I  have 
good  cause  to  remember  this  very  hill.  I  came  near  making 
a  jump  into  purgatory  from  the  other  side  of  it." 

"  Ha  !  how  was  that  ?  " 

"  Cenobio  had  got  a  large  lot  of  cochineal  from  a  crafty 
trader  at  Oaxaca.  It  was  cached  about  two  leagues  from  the 
hacienda  in  the  hills,  and  a  vessel  was  to  drop  into  the 
mouth  of  the  Medellin  to  take  it  on  board. 

"  A  party  of  us  were  engaged  to  carry  it  across  to  the 
coast ;  and,  as  the  cargo  was  very  valuable,  we  were  all  of 
us  armed  to  the  teeth,  with  orders  from  the  patrone  to  de 
fend  it  at  all  hazards.  His  men  were  just  the  fellows  who 
would  obey  that  order,  coming,  as  it  did,  from  Cenobio. 

"  The  Government  somehow  or  other  got  wind  of  the 
affair,  and  slipped  a  strong  detachment  out  of  Vera  Cruz 
in  time  to  intercept  us.  We  met  them  on  the  other  side  of 
this  very  hill,  where  a  road  strikes  off  towards  Medellin." 

"  Well !  and  what  followed  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  battle  lasted  nearly  an  hour  ;  and,  after  having 
lost  half  a  score  of  their  best  men,  the  valiant  lancers  rode 
back  to  Vera  Cruz  quicker  than  they  came  out  of  it." 

"  And  the  smugglers  ?  " 

"  Carried  the  goods  safe  on  board.     Three  of  them — poor 


264  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

tellows  ! — are  lying  not  far  off,  and  I  came  near  sharing 
their  luck.  I  have  a  lance-hole  through  my  thigh  here,  that 
pains  me  at  this  very  moment.  Oh,  Moses  !  " 

My  ear  at  this  moment  caught  the  sound  of  dogs  barking 
hoarsely  below.  Horses  of  the  cavalcade  commenced 
neighing,  answered  by  others  from  the  adjacent  fields,  who 
recognized  their  old  companions. 

"  It  must  be  near  night,"  I  remarked  to  Raoul. 

"  I  think  about  sunset,  captain,"  rejoined  he.  "  It  feels 
about  that  time." 

I  could  not  help  smiling.  There  was  something  ludicrous 
in  my  comrade's  remark  about  "  feeling  "  the  sunset. 

The  barking  of  the  dogs  now  ceased,  and  we  could  hear 
voices  ahead  welcoming  the  guerilleros. 

The  hoofs  of  our  mules  struck  upon  a  hard  pavement, 
and  the  sounds  echoed  as  if  under  an  arched  way. 

Our  animals  were  presently  halted,  and  we  were  unpacked 
and  flung  rudely  down  upon  rough  stones,  like  so  many 
bundles  of  merchandise. 

We  lay  for  some  minutes  listening  to  the  strange  voices 
around.  The  neighing  of  horses,  the  barking  and  growling 
of  dogs,  the  lowing  of  cattle,  the  shouts  of  the  arrieros  un 
packing  their  mules,  the  clanking  of  sabers  along  the  stone 
pavement,  the  tinkling  of  spurs,  the  laughter  of  men,  and 
the  voices  of  women — all  were  in  our  ears  at  once. 

Two  men  approached  us,  conversing. 

"  They  are  of  the  party  that  escaped  us  at  La  Virgen. 
Two  of  them  are  officers." 

"  Chingaro  /  I  got  this  at  La  Virgen,  and  a  full  half-mile 
off.  "  Twas  some  black  jugglery  in  their  bullets.  I  hope 
thzpatrone  will  hang  the  Yankee  savages." 

"  Quien  sabe  ?  "  (Who  knows  ?),  replied  the  first  speaker. 
"  Pinzon  has  been  taken  this  morning  at  Puenta  Moreno, 
with  several  others.  They  had  a  fandango  with  the  Yankee 


THE    HEAD-QUARTERS   OF   THE   GUERILLA.      265 

dragoons.  You  know  what  the  old  man  thinks  of  Pinzon. 
He'd  sooner  part,  with  his  wife." 

"  You  think  he  will  exchange  them,  then  ?  " 

"  It  is  not  unlikely." 

"  And  yet  he  wouldn't  trouble  much  if  you  or  I  had  been 
taken.  No — no  ;  he'd  let  us  be  hanged  like  dogs." 

"  Well ;  that's  always  the  way,  you  know." 

"  I  begin  to  get  tired  of  him.  By  the  Virgin  1  Jose*,  I've 
half  a  mind  to  slip  off  and  join  the  Padre*." 

"  Jarauta  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  he's  by  the  Bridge,  with  a  brave  set  of  Jarochos — 
some  of  our  old  comrades  upon  the  Rio  Grande  among 
them.  They  are  living  at  free  quarters  along  the  road,  and 
having  gay  times  of  it,  I  hear.  If  Jarauta  had  taken  these 
Yankees  yesterday,  the  zopilote  would  have  made  his  dinner 
upon  them  to-day." 

"  That's  true,"  rejoined  the  other ;  "  but  come — let  us 
unblind  the  devils  and  give  them  their  beans.  It  may  be 
the  last  they'll  ever  eat." 

With  this  consoling  remark,  Jose  commenced  unbuckling 
our  tapojos,  and  we  once  more  looked  upon  the  light.  The 
brilliance  at  first  dazzled  us  painfully,  and  it  was  some 
minutes  before  we  could  look  steadily  at  the  objects  around 
us. 

We  had  been  thrown  upon  the  pavement  in  the  corner  of 
the  patio — a  large  court,  surrounded  by  massive  walls  and 
flat-roofed  houses. 

These  buildings  were  low,  single-storied,  except  the  range 
in  front,  which  contained  the  principal  dwellings.  The  re 
maining  three  sides  were  occupied  by  stables,  granaries,  and 
quarters  for  the  guerilleros  and  servants.  A  portale  ex 
tended  along  the  front  range,  and  large  vases,  with  shrubs 
and  flowers,  ornamented  the  balustrade.  The  portale  was 
screened  from  the  sun  by  curtains  of  bright-colored  cloth. 


260  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

These  were  partially  drawn,  and  objects  of  elegant  furniture 
appeared  within. 

Near  the  center  of  the  patio  was  a  large  fountain,  boiling 
up  into  a  reservoir  of  hewn  mason-work ;  and  around  this 
fountain  were  clumps  of  orange-trees,  their  leaves  in  some 
places  dropping  down  into  the  water.  Various  arms  hung 
or  leaned  against  the  walls — guns,  pistols,  and  sabers — and 
two  small  pieces  of  cannon,  with  their  caissons  and  car 
riages,  stood  in  a  prominent  position.  In  these  we  recognized 
our  old  acquaintance  of  La  Virgen. 

A  long  trough  stretched  across  the  patio,  and  out  of  this 
a  double  row  of  mules  and  mustangs  were  greedily  eating 
maize.  The  saddle-tracks  upon  their  steaming  sides  showed 
them  to  be  the  companions  of  our  late  wearisome  journey. 

Huge  dogs  lay  basking  upon  the  hot  stones,  growling  at 
intervals  as  some  one  galloped  in  through  the  great  doorway. 
Their  broad  jaws  and  tawny  hides  bespoke  the  Spanish 
bloodhound — the  descendants  of  that  race  with  which  Cortez 
had  harried  the  conquered  Aztecs. 

The  guerilleros  were  seated  or  standing  in  groups  around 
the  fires,  broiling  jerked  beef  upon  the  points  of  their  sabers. 
Some  mended  their  saddles,  or  were  wiping  out  an  old  car 
bine  or  a  clumsy  escopette.  Some  strutted  around  the  yard, 
swinging  their  bright  mangas,  or  trailing  after  them  the 
picturesque  scrape.  Women  in  rebozos  and  colored  skirts 
walked  to  and  fro  among  the  men. 

The  women  carried  jars  filled  with  water.  They  knelt 
before  smooth  stones,  and  kneaded  tortillas.  They  stirred 
child  and  chocolate  in  earthen  olias.  They  cooked  frijoles 
in  flat  pans  ;  and  amidst  all  these  occupations  they  joked 
and  laughed  and  chatted  with  the  men. 

Several  men — officers,  from  their  style  of  dress — came 
out  of  the  portale,  and,  after  delivering  orders  to  the  gueril 
leros  on  guard,  returned  to  the  house, 


THE   HEAD-QUARTERS  OF  THE   GUERILLA.      267 

Packages  of  what  appeared  to  be  merchandise  lay  in  one 
corner  of  the  court.  Around  this  were  groups  of  arrieros, 
in  their  red  leathern  garments,  securing  their  charge  for  the 
night,  and  laying  out  their  alparejas  in  long  rows  by  the 
wall. 

Over  the  opposite  roofs — for  our  position  was  elevated — 
we  could  see  the  bright  fields  and  forest,  and  far  beyond, 
the  Cofre  de  Perote  and  the  undulating  outlines  of  the 
Andes.  Above  all  the  white-robed  peak  of  Orizava  rose  up 
against  the  heavens  like  a  pyramid  of  spotless  snow. 

The  sun  had  gone  down  behind  the  mountains,  but  his 
rays  still  rested  upon  Orizava,  bathing  its  cone  with  a  yellow 
light,  like  a  mantle  of  burnished  gold.  Clouds  of  red,  and 
white,  and  purple  hung  like  a  glory  upon  his  track,  and,  de 
scending,  rested  upon  the  lower  summits  of  the  Cordillera. 
The  peak  of  the  "  Burning  Star  "  alone  appeared  above 
the  clouds,  towering  in  sublime  and  solitary  grandeur. 

There  was  a  picturesque  loveliness  about  the  scene — an 
idea  of  sublimity — that  caused  me  for  the  moment  to  forget 
where  I  was,  or  that  I  was  a  captive.  My  dream  was  dis 
pelled  by  the  harsh  voice  of  Jose,  who  at  that  moment  came 
up  with  a  couple  of  peons,  carrying  a  large  earthen  dish 
that  contained  our  supper. 

This  consisted  of  black  beans  with  half  a  dozen  tortillas  ; 
but  as  we  were  all  half  famished,  we  did  not  offer  any  criti 
cism  on  the  quality  of  the  viands.  The  dish  was  placed  in 
our  midst,  and  our  arms  were  untied  for  the  first  time  since 
our  capture.  There  were  neither  knives,  forks,  nor  spoons ; 
but  Raoul  showed  us  the  Mexican  fashion  of  "  eating  our 
spoons,"  and,  twisting  up  the  tortillas,  we  scooped  and  swal 
lowed  "  right  ahead." 


Mexican  Women  Kneading  Tortillas. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

CHANE'S  COURTSHIP. 

HE  dish  was  emptied,  as  Clayley  observed 
in  a  "  squirrel's  jump." 

"  Be  my  sowl !  it  ates  purty  well,  black 
as  it  is,"  said  Chane,  looking  ruefully  into 
the  empty  vessels.     "  It's  got  a  worse  complaint 
than  the  color.     Cudn't  yez  fetch  us  a  thrifle 
more  of  it,  my  darlint  boy  ?  "  he  added,  squinting 
up  at  Jose*. 

"  No  entiende"  said  the  Mexican,  shaking  his  head. 

"  No  in  tin  days  1 "  cried  Chane,  mistaking  the  "  no  en- 

tiende  "  for  a  phrase  of  broken  English,  to  which  indeed,  its 

pronunciation  somewhat  assimilates  it.     "  Och  I  git  out  wid 

268 


CHANE'S  COURTSHIP.  269 

you !  Bad  luck  to  yer  picther !  In  tin  days  it's  Murtagh 
Chane  that'll  ayther  be  takin'  his  tay  in  purgathory  or  atin' 
betther  than  black  banes  in  some  other  part  of  the  world." 

"  No  entiende"  repeated  the  Mexican  as  before. 

"  Tin  days  indade  !  Sure  we'd  be  did  wid  hunger  in  half 
the  time.  We  want  the  banes  now" 

"No  entiende,  senor"  again  replied  the  man. 

"  Go  to  owld  Nick  1  "  cried  Chane,  whose  patience  was 
now  exhausted. 

"  Qub  quiere  ?  "  asked  the  Mexican,  speaking  to  Raoul, 
who  was  by  this  time  convulsed  with  laughter. 

"  Phwhat's  that  he  sez,  Raowl  ?  "  inquired  Chane  sharply. 

"  He  says  he  don't  understand  you." 

"  Thin  spake  to  him  yerself,  Raowl.  Till  him  we  want 
more  banes,  and  a  few  more  ov  thim  pancakes,  if  he  plazes." 

Raoul  translated  the  Irishman's  request. 

"  No  hay"  answered  the  Mexican,  shaking  his  forefinger 
in  front  of  his  nose. 

"  No  I — is  that  phwhat  ye  say,  my  darlint  ?  Well,  iv  yez 
won't  go  yerself,  sind  somebody  else  ;  it's  all  the  same  thing, 
so  yez  bring  us  the  ateables." 

"  No  entiende"  said  the  man,  with  the  same  shake  of  the 
head. 

11  Oh !  there  agin  with  your  tin  days — but  it's  no  use; 
yez  understand  me  well  enough,  but  yez  don't  want  to  bring 
the  banes." 

"  He  tells  you  there  is  no  more,"  said  Raoul. 

"  Oh !  the  desavin'  Judas !  and  five  hundred  ov  thim 
grazers  atin'  over  beyant  there.  No  more  banes !  oh,  the 
lie !  " 

"  Frijoles — no  hay"  said  the  Mexican,  guessing  at  the 
purport  of  Chane's  remarks. 

"  Fray  holeys  !  "  repeated  Chane,  imitating  the  Mexican's 
pronunciation  of  the  word  "  frijoles."  "  Och  1  git  out  wid 


270  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

your  fray  holeys  !  There  isn't  the  size  of  a  flay  of  holiness 
about  the  place.  Git  out  I  " 

Raoul,  and  indeed  all  of  us  except  the  Irishman  himself, 
were  bursting  with  laughter. 

"  I'm  chokin',''  said  the  latter,  after  a  pause ;  "  ask  him 
for  wather,  Raowl — sure  he  can't  deny  that,  with  that  purty 
little  sthrame  boilin'  up  undher  our  noses,  as  clear  as  the 
potteen  of  Ennishowen." 

Raoul  asked  for  water,  which  we  all  needed.  Our  throats 
were  as  dry  as  charcoal.  The  Mexican  made  a  sign  to  one 
of  the  women,  who  shortly  came  up  with  an  earthern  jar 
filled  with  water. 

"  Give  it  first  to  the  captain,  misthress,"  said  Chane,  point 
ing  to  me  ;  "  sarve  all  ayqually,  but  respict  rank." 

The  woman  understood  the  sign,  and  handed  me  the  jar. 
I  drank  copiously,  passing  it  to  my  comrades,  Clayley  and 
Raoul.  Chane  at  length  took  the  jar;  but  instead  of 
drinking  immediately,  as  might  have  been  expected,  he 
set  it  between  his  knees  and  looked  quizzically  up  at  the 
woman. 

"  I  say,  my  little  darlint,"  said  he,  winking,  and  touching 
her  lightly  under  the  ribs  with  his  outstretched  palm,  "  my 
little  mooch  acha — that's  what  they  call  thim — isn't  it, 
Raowl  ? " 

"  Muchacha  ?  oh  yes." 

"  Well  thin,  my  purty  little  moochacha,  cudn't  yez — ye 

know  what  I  mane.  Cudn't  yez ?  Och  !  ye  know  well 

enough — only  a  little — jist  a  mouthful  to  take  the  cowld 
taste  aff  the  wather." 

"  No  entiende"  said  the  woman,  smiling  good-naturedly  at 
Chane's  comical  gestures. 

"  Och,  the  plague  1  there's  that  tin  days  agin.  Talk  to 
her,  Raowl.  Tell  her  what  I  mane." 

Raoul  translated  his  comrade's  wishes, 


CHANES   COURTSHIP.  271 

"  Tell  her,  Raowl,  I've  got  no  money,  because  I  have  been 
rabbed,  de  ye  see ;  but  I'll  give  her  ayther  of  these  saints 
for  the  smallest  thrifle  of  agwardent ;  "  and  he  pulled  the 
images  out  of  his  jacket  as  he  spoke. 

The  woman,  seeing  these,  bent  forward  with  an  exclama 
tion  ;  and,  recognizing  the  crucifix,  with  the  images  of  the 
saint  and  Virgin,  dropped  upon  her  knees  and  kissed  them 
devoutly,  uttering  some  words  in  a  language  half  Spanish, 
half  Aztec. 

Rising  up,  she  looked  kindly  at  Chane,  exclaiming, 
"  Bueno  Catolico ! "  She  then  tossed  the  rebozo  over  her 
left  shoulder,  and  hurried  off  across  the  yard. 

"  De  yez  think,  Raowl,  she's  gone  after  the  licker  ?  " 

"  I  am  sure  of  it,"  answered  the  Frenchman. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  woman  returned,  and  drawing 
a  small  flask  out  of  the  folds  of  her  rebozo,  handed  it  to 
Chane. 

The  Irishman  commenced  undoing  the  string  that  carried 
his  "  relics." 

"  Which  ov  them  de  yez  want,  misthress  ? — the  saint,  or 
the  Howly  Mother,  or  both  ? — it's  all  the  same  to  Murtagh." 

The  woman,  observing  what  he  was  after,  rushed  forward, 
and,  placing  her  hands  upon  his,  said  in  a  kind  tone : 

"  JVo,  senor.     Su  protection  necesita  usted" 

"  Phwhat  diz  she  say,  Raowl  ?  " 

"  She  says,  keep  them,  you  will  need  their  protection 
yourself." 

"  Och}  be  me  sowl !  she's  not  far  asthray  there.  I  need 
it  bad  enough  now,  an*  a  hape  ov  good  they're  likely  to  do 
me.  They've  hung  there  for  tin  years — both  of  thim  ;  and  this 
nate  little  flask's  the  first  raal  binifit  I  iver  resaved  from 
ayther  of  them.  Thry  it,  captin.  I'll  do  yez  good." 

I  took  the  bottle  and  drank.  It  was  the  chingarito — a 
bad  species  of  aguardiente  from  the  wild  aloe — and  hot  as 


272  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

fire.  A  mouthful  sufficed.  I  handed  the  flask  to  Clayley 
who  drank  more  freely.  Raoul  followed  suit,  and  the  bottle 
came  back  to  the  Irishman. 

"  Your  hilth,  darlint !  "  said  he,  nodding  to  the  Mexican 
woman.  "  May  yez  live  till  /wish  ye  dead !  " 

The  woman  smiled,  and  repeated,  " No  entiende" 

"  Och  I  nivir  mind  the  tin  days — we  won't  quarrel  about 
that.  Ye're  a  swate  crayteur,"  continued  he,  winking  at  the 
woman  ;  "  but  sure  yer  petticoats  is  mighty  short,  an'  yez 
want  a  pair  of  stockin's  bad,  too  ;  but  nivir  mind — yez  stand 
well  upon  thim  illigant  ankles — 'dade  ye  do  ;  and  yez  have 
a  purty  little  futt  into  the  bargain." 

"  Que  dice  ?  "  (What  does  he  say  ?),  asked  the  Mexican, 
speaking  to  Raoul. 

"  He  is  complimenting  you  on  the  smallness  of  your  feet." 
answered  the  Frenchman. 

The  woman  was  evidently  pleased,  and  commenced  cramp 
ing  up  what  was  in  fact  a  very  small  foot  into  its  faded  satin 
slipper. 

"  Tell  me,  my  dear,"  continued  Chane,  "  are  yez  married  ?  " 

"  Que  dice  ?  "  again  asked  the  woman. 

"  He  wants  to  know  if  you  are  married." 

She  smiled,  waving  her  forefinger  in  front  of  her  nose. 

Raoul  informed  the  Irishman  that  this  was  a  negative  an 
swer  to  his  question. 

"  By  my  sowl,  thin,"  said  Chane,  "  I  wudn't  mind  marryin' 
ye  meself,  an'  joinin'  the  thribe — that  is,  if  they'll  let  me  off 
from  the  hangin'.  Tell  her  that,  Raowl." 

As  desired,  Raoul  explained  his  comrade's  last  speech,  at 
which  the  woman  laughed,  but  said  nothing. 

"  Silence  gives  consint.  But  tell  her,  Raowl,  that  I  won't 
buy  a  pig  in  a  poke  :  they  must  first  let  me  off  from  the  hang- 
in',  de  ye  hear  ? — tell  her  that." 

"  £.1  seHor  estd  muy  alegre  "  (The  gentleman  is  very  merry\ 


CHANES  COURTSHIP. 


273 


said  the  woman  ;  and,  picking  up  her  jar,  with  a  smile,  she 
left  us. 

"  I  say,  Raowl,  does  she  consint  ?  " 

"  She  hasn't  made  up  her  mind  yet." 

"  By  the  holy  vistment  1  thin  it's  all  up  wid  Murt.  The 
saints  won't  save  him.  Take  another  dhrap,  Raowl  1 " 


Moulding  Brick  for  Constructing  Adobe  Buildings. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

THE  DANCE  OF  THE  TAGAROTA. 

IGHT  fell,  and  the  blazing  fagots  threw 
their  glare  over  the  patio,  striking  upon  ob 
jects  picturesque  at  all  times,  but  doubly  so 
under  the  red  light  of  the  pine  fires.  The 
grouping  of  guerilleros — their  broad,  heavy  hats, 
many  of  them  plumed — their  long  black  hair  and 
pointed  beards — their  dark,  flashing  eyes — their 
teeth,  fierce  and  white — the  half  savage  expression  of  their 
features — their  costumes,  high-colored  and  wild-like — all 
combined  in  impressing  us  with  strange  feelings. 

The  mules,  the  mustangs,  the  dogs,  the  peons,  the  slip 
pered  wenches,  with  their  coarse  trailing  tresses,  the  low 
274 


THE  DANCE  OF  THE  TAGAROTA.     275 

roofs,  the  iron-barred  windows,  the  orange-trees  by  the  foun 
tain,  the  palms  hanging  over  the  wall,  the  glistening  cocuyos 
were  all  strange  sights  to  us. 

The  sounds  that  rang  in  our  ears  were  not  more  familiar. 
Even  the  voices  of  the  men,  unlike  the  Saxon,  sounded  wild 
and  sharp.  It  was  the  Spanish  language,  spoken  in  the 
patois  of  the  Aztec  Indians.  In  this  the  guerilleros  chatted 
and  sang,  and  swore.  There  was  a  medley  of  other  sounds, 
not  less  strange  to  our  ears,  as  the  dogs  howled  and  barked 
their  blood-hound  notes — as  the  mustangs  neighed  or  the 
mules  whinnied — as  the  heavy  saber  clanked  or  the  huge  spur 
tinkled  its  tiny  bells — as  the  poblanas,  sitting  by  some  group, 
touched  the  strings  of  their  bandolons,  and  chanted  their  half- 
Indian  songs. 

By  a  blazing  pile,  close  to  where  we  sat,  a  party  of  gueril 
leros^  with  their  women,  were  dancing  the  tagarota,  a  species 
of  fandango. 

The  men  had  thrown  aside  their  heavy  hats  and  accouter- 
ments.  Some  of  them  had  unbuttoned  the  legs  of  their  cal- 
zoneros,  and  tucked  them  up  to  the  waist,  a  la  Bedouin. 
The  women  had  cast  off  their  rebozos,  leaving  a  light 
sleeveless  chemise  as  the  only  covering  between  their  bosoms 
and  the  light,  while  their  flaming  petticoats  were  short  enough 
to  have  suited  a  Parisian  coryphee. 

Two  men,  seated  upon  raw-hide  stools,  strummed  away 
upon  a  pair  of  bandolons,  while  a  third  pinched  and  pulled  at 
the  strings  of  an  old  guitar — all  three  aiding  the  music  with 
their  shrill,  disagreeable  voices. 

The  dancers  formed  the  figures  of  a  parallelogram,  each 
standing  opposite  his  partner,  or  rather  moving,  for  they 
were  never  at  rest,  but  kept  constantly  beating  time  with 
feet,  head,  and  hands.  The  last  they  struck  against  their 
cheeks  and  thighs,  and  at  intervals  clapped  them  together. 

One  would  suddenly  appear  as  a  hunchback,  and,  dancing 


276  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

out  into  the  center  of  the  figure,  perform  various  antics  to 
attract  his  partner.  After  a  while  she  would  dance  up — de* 
formed  also — and  the  two,  bringing  their  bodies  in  contact, 
and  performing  various  disgusting  contortions,  would  give 
place  to  another  pair.  These  would  appear  without  arms  or 
legs,  walking  on  their  knees,  or  sliding  along  on  their  hips  1 

One  danced  with  his  head  under  his  arm,  and  another  with 
one  leg  around  his  neck :  all  eliciting  more  or  less  laughter, 
as  the  feat  was  more  or  less  comical.  During  the  dance 
every  species  of  deformity  was  imitated  and  caricatured,  for 
this  is  the  tagarota.  It  was  a  series  of  grotesque  and  repul 
sive  pictures.  Some  of  the  dancers,  flinging  themselves  flat, 
would  roll  across  the  open  space  without  moving  hand  or 
foot.  This  always  elicited  applause,  and  we  could  not  help 
remarking  its  resemblance  to  the  gymnastics  we  had  lately 
been  practising  ourselves. 

"  Och,  be  me  sowl  1  we  can  bate  yez  at  that !  "  cried  Chane, 
who  appeared  to  be  highly  amused  at  the  tagarota,  making 
his  comments  as  the  dance  went  on. 

I  was  sick  of  the  scene,  and  watched  it  no  longer.  My 
eyes  turned  to  the  portale,  and  I  looked  anxiously  through 
the  half-drawn  curtains. 

"  It  is  strange  I  have  seen  nothing  of  them  !  Could  they 
have  turned  off  on  some  other  route  ?  No — they  must  be 
here.  Narcisso's  promise  for  to-night !  He  at  least  is  here. 
And  she  ? — perhaps  occupied  within — gay,  happy,  indifferent 
—oh !  " 

The  pain  shot  afresh  through  my  heart. 

Suddenly  the  curtain  was  drawn  aside,  and  a  brilliant 
picture  appeared  within — brilliant,  but  to  me  like  the  glimpse 
which  some  condemned  spirit  might  catch  over  the  walls  of 
Paradise.  Officers  in  bright  uniforms,  and  amongst  these  I 
recognized  the  elegant  person  of  Dubrosc.  Ladies  in  rich 
dresses,  and  amongst  these .  Her  sister,  too,  was  there, 


THE  DANCE  OF  THE  TAGAROTA.     277 

and  the  Dona  Joaquina,  and  a  half  a  dozen  other  ladies  rus 
tling  in  silks  and  blazing  with  jewels. 

Several  of  the  gentlemen — young  officers  of  the  band- 
wore  the  picturesque  costumes  of  the  guerilleros. 

They  were  forming  for  the  dance. 

"  Look,  captain  1  "  cried  Clayley  :  "Don  Cosine*  and  his 
people,  by  the  living  earthquake  I  " 

"  Hush  !  do  not  touch  me — do  not  speak  to  me  1 " 

I  felt  as  though  my  heart  would  stop  beating.  It  rose  in 
my  bosom,  and  seemed  to  hang  for  minutes  without  moving. 
My  throat  felt  dry  and  husky,  and  a  cold  perspiration  broke 
out  upon  my  skin. 

He  approaches  her — he  asks  her  to  dance — she  consents  I 
No ;  she  refuses.  Brave  girl !  She  has  strayed  away  from 
the  dancers,  and  looks  over  the  balustrade.  She  is  sad. 
Was  it  a  sigh  that  caused  her  bosom  to  rise  ?  Ha  1  he  comes 
again.  She  is  smiling  ! — he  touches  her  hand  I 

"  Fiend  !  false  woman  !  "  I  shouted  at  the  top  of  my  voice 
as  I  sprang  up,  impelled  by  passion.  I  attempted  to  rush 
towards  them.  My  feet  were  bound,  and  I  fell  heavily  upon 
my  face  1 

The  guards  seized  me,  tying  my  hands.  My  comrades, 
too,  were  rebound.  We  were  dragged  over  the  stones  into  a 
small  room  in  one  corner  of  the  patio. 

The  door  was  bolted  and  locked,  and  we  were  left  alone. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


A  KISS  IN  THE  DARK. 


T  would  be 
impossible 
to  describe 
my  feelings 
as  I  was  flung  upon 
the  floor  of  our  prison. 
This  was  cold  damp, 
and  filthy  ;  but  I  heed 
ed  not  these  griev 
ances.  Greater  sor 
rows  absorbed  the 
less.  There  is  no  tor 
ture  so  racking,  no 
pain  so  painful  as  the 
throbbings  of  a  jealous  heart ;  but  how  much  harder  to 
bear  under  circumstances  like  mine !  She  could  sleep, 
smile,  dance — dance  by  my  prison,  and  with  my  jailer ! 

I  felt  spiteful — vengeful.  I  was  stung  to  a  desire  for  re 
taliation,  and  along  with  this  came  an  eagerness  to  live  for 
the  opportunity  of  indulging  in  this  passion. 

I  began  to  look  around  our  prison,  and  see  what  chances 
it  offered  for  escape. 

"  Good  heavens  1  if  our  being  transferred  to  the  cell  should 

278 


A    KISS   IN   THE    DARK.  279 

destroy  the  plans  of  Narcisso !  How  is  he  to  reach 
us  ?  The  door  is  doubled-locked,  and  a  sentry  is  pacing 
without." 

After  several  painful  efforts  I  raised  myself  upon  my  feet, 
propping  my  body  against  the  side  of  the  prison.  There  was 
an  aperture — a  window  about  as  large  as  a  loophole  for  mus 
ketry.  I  spun  myself  along  the  wall  until  I  stood  directly 
under  it.  It  was  just  the  height  of  my  chin.  Cautioning  my 
companions  to  silence,  I  placed  my  ear  to  the  aperture  and 
listened.  A  low  sound  came  wailing  from  the  fields  without. 
I  did  not  heed  this.  I  knew  it  was  the  wolf.  It  rose  again 
louder  than  before.  A  peculiarity  in  the  howl  struck  me, 
and  I  turned,  calling  to  Raoul. 

"  What  is  it,  captain  ?  "  inquired  he. 

"  Do  you  know  if  the  prairie  wolf  is  found  here  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know  if  it  be  the  true  prarie  wolf,  captain. 
There  is  one  something  like  the  coyote" 

I  returned  to  the  aperture  and  listened. 

"Again  the  howl  of  the  prairie  wolf — the  bark!  By 
heavens  I  it  is  Lincoln  !  " 

Now  it  ceased  for  several  minutes,  and  there  came  again, 
but  from  another  direction. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  ?  If  I  answer  him,  it  will  alarm  the 
sentry.  I  will  wait  until  he  comes  closer  to  the  wall." 

I  could  tell  that  he  was  creeping  nearer  and  nearer. 

Finding  he  had  not  been  answered,  the  howling  ceased. 
I  stood  listening  eagerly  to  every  sound  from  without.  My 
comrades,  who  had  now  become  apprised  of  Lincoln's  prox 
imity,  had  risen  to  their  feet  and  were  leaning  against  the 
walls. 

We  were  about  half  an  hour  in  this  situation,  without  ex 
changing  a  word,  when  a  light  tap  was  heard  from  without, 
and  a  soft  voice  whispered  : 

"  Hola,  Capita*!" 


280  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  placed   my  ear   to  the    aperture.     The  whisper  was  re 
peated.     It  was  not  Lincoln — that  was  clear. 

It  must  be  Narcisso. 

"  Quien  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Yo,  Capitan" 

I  recognized  the  voice  that  had  addressed  me  in  the 
morning. 

It  is  Narcisso. 

"  Can  you  place  your  hands  in  the  aperture  ?  "  said  he. 

"  No  ;  they  are  tied  behind  my  back." 

"  Can  you  bring  them  opposite  then  ?  " 

"  No  ;  I  am  standing  on  my  toes,  and  my  wrists  are  still 
far  below  the  sill." 

"  Are  your  comrades  all  similarly  bound  ?  " 

«  All." 

"  Let  one  get  on  each  side  of  you,  and  raise  you  up  on 
their  shoulders." 

Wondering  at  the  astuteness  of  the  young  Spaniard  I 
ordered  Chane  and  Raoul  to  lift  me  as  he  directed. 

When  my  wrists  came  opposite  the  window  I  cautioned 
them  to  hold  on.  Presently  a  soft  hand  touched  mine,  pass 
ing  all  over  them.  Then  I  felt  the  blade  of  a  knife  pressed 
against  the  thong,  and  in  an  instant  it  leaped  from  my  wrists. 
I  ordered  the  men  to  set  me  down,  and  I  listened  as  be 
fore. 

"  Here  is  the  knife.  You  can  release  your  own  ankles 
and  those  of  your  comrades.  This  paper  will  direct  you 
further.  You  will  find  the  lamp  inside." 

A  knife,  with  a  folded  and  strangely  shining  note,  was 
passed  through  by  the  speaker. 

"  And  now,  capitan — one  favor,"  continued  the  voice,  in  a 
trembling  tone. 

"  Ask  it  1  ask  it !  " 

"  I  would  kiss  your  hand  before  we  part." 


A    KISS   IN   THE    DARK.  281 

•'  Dear  noble  boy !  "  thrusting  my  hand  into  the  aperture. 

"  Boy  !  ah,  true — you  think  me  a  boy,  I  am  no  boy,  capi- 
tan,  but  a  woman — one  who  loves  you  with  all  her  blighted, 
broken  heart!" 

"  Oh  heavens  !      It  is,  then — dearest  Guadalupe  !  " 

"  Ha  !  "  I  thought  as  much.  Now  I  will  not.  But,  no  ; 
what  good  would  it  be  to  me  ?  No — no — no  !  I  shall  keep 
my  word." 

This  appeared  to  be  uttered  in  soliloquy,  and  the  tumult 
of  my  thoughts  prevented  me  from  noticing  the  strangeness 
of  these  expressions.  I  thought  of  them  afterwards. 

"  Your  hand  !  your  hand  !  "  I  ejaculated. 

"  You  would  kiss  my  hand  ?  Do  so !  "  The  little  hand 
was  thrust  through,  and  I  could  see  it  in  the  dim  light, 
flashing  with  brilliants.  I  caught  it  in  mine,  covering  it 
with  kisses.  It  seemed  to  yield  to  the  fervid  pressure  of 
my  lips. 

"  Oh  !  "  I  exclaimed,  in  the  transport  of  my  feelings,  "  let 
us  not  part  ;  let  us  fly  together  !  I  was  wronging  you,  love 
liest,  dearest  Guadalupe " 

A  slight  exclamation,  as  if  from  some  painful  emotion,  and 
the  hand  was  plucked  away,  leaving  one  of  the  diamonds  in 
my  fingers.  The  next  moment  the  voice  whispered,  with  a 
strange  sadness  of  tone,  as  I  thought : 

"Adieu,  capitan !  adieu  !  In  this  world  of  life  we  never 
know  who  best  loves  us  /" 

I  was  puzzled,  bawildered.  I  called  out,  but  there  was  no 
answer.  I  listened  until  the  patience  of  my  comrades  was 
well-nigh  exhausted,  but  still  there  was  no  voice  from  with 
out  ;  and  with  a  strange  feeling  of  uneasiness  and  wonder 
ment  I  commenced  cutting  the  thongs  from  my  ankles. 

Having  set  Raoul  at  liberty,  I  handed  him  the  knife,  and 
proceeded  to  open  the  note.  Inside  I  found  a  cocuyo ;  and, 
using  it  as  I  had  been  already  instructed,  I  read : 


282  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  2he  walls  are  adobe.  You  have  a  knife.  The  side  with 
the  loophole  fronts  outward.  There  is  afield  of  maguey s,  and 
beyond  this  you  will  find  the  forest.  You  may  then  trust  t9 
yourselves.  I  can  help  you  no  further.  Carrissimo  cabellero 
adiosl  " 

I  had  no  time  to  reflect  upon  the  peculiarities  of  the  note, 
though  the  boldness  of  the  style  struck  me  as  corresponding 
with  the  other.  I  flung  down  the  firefly,  crushing  the  paper 
into  my  bosom  ;  and  seizing  the  knife,  was  about  to  attack 
the  adobe'  wall,  when  voices  reached  me  from  without.  I 
sprang  forward,  and  placed  my  ear  to  listen.  It  was  an 
altercation — a  woman — a  man  1  "  By  heaven  1  it  is  Lin 
coln's  voice !  " 

"  Yer  cussed  whelp  I  ye'd  see  the  cap'n  hung  would  yer  ? 
— a  man  that's  good  vally  for  the  full  of  a  pararer  of  green- 
gutted  greasers  ;  but  I  ain't  a-gwine  to  let  you  look  at  his 
hangin'.  If  yer  don't  show  me  which  of  these  hyur  pigeon 
holes  is  his'n,  an'  help  me  to  get  him  outer  it,  I'll  skin  yer 
like  a  mink  !  " 

"  I  tell  you,  Mister  Lincoln,"  replied  a  voice  which  I  rec 
ognized  as  the  one  whose  owner  had  just  left  me,  "  I  have 
this  minute  given  the  captain  the  means  of  escape,  through 
that  loophole." 

«  Whar !  " 

"  This  one,"  answered  the  female  voice. 

"  Wai,  that's  easy  to  circumstantiate.  Kum  along  hyur  I 
I  ain't  a-gwine  to  let  yer  go  till  it's  all  fixed.  De  ye  hear  ?  " 

I  heard  the  heavy  foot  of  the  hunter  as  he  approached, 
and  presently  his  voice  calling  through  the  loophole  in  a 
guarded  whisper : 

"  Cap'n !  " 

"  Hush,  Bob  1 "  it's  all  right,"  I  replied,  speaking  in  a  low 
tone,  for  the  sentries  were  moving  suspiciously  around  the 
door. 


A    KISS   IN   THE   DARK.  283 

"  Good  !  "  ejaculated  he.  "  Yer  kin  go  now,"  he  added 
to  the  other,  whose  attention  I  endeavored  to  attract,  but 
dared  not  call  to  loud  enough,  lest'  the  guards  should  hear 
me.  "  Dash  my  buttons  !  I  don't  want  yer  to  go — yer  a 
good  'un  arter  all.  Why  can't  yer  kum  along  ?  The  cap'n 
'ill  make  it  all  straight  agin  about  the  disartion." 

"  Mr.  Lincoln,  I  cannot  go  with  you.  Please  suffer  me 
to  depart." 

"  Wai !  yer  own  likes  1  but  if  I  kin  do  yer  a  good  turn,  you 
can  depend  on  Bob  Linkin — mind  that." 

"  Thank  you  1  thank  you !  " 

And  before  I  could  interfere  to  prevent  it,  she  was  gone. 
I  could  hear  the  voice,  sad  and  sweet  in  the  distance,  calling 
back,  "  Adios  I " 

I  had  no  time  for  reflection,  else  the  mystery  that  sur 
rounded  me  would  have  occupied  my  thoughts  for  hours. 
It  was  time  to  act.  Again  I  heard  Lincoln's  voice  at  the 
loophole. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  How  are  yer  ter  get  out,  cap'n  ?  " 

"  We  are  cutting  a  hole  through  the  wall." 

"  If  yer  can  give  me  the  spot,  I'll  meet  yer  half-ways." 

I  measured  the  distance  from  the  loophole,  and  handed 
the  string  to  Lincoln.  We  heard  no  more  from  the  hunter 
until  the  moonlight  glanced  through  the  wall  upon  the  blade 
of  his  knife.  Then  he  uttered  a  short  ejaculation,  such  as 
may  be  heard  from  the  "  mountain  men  "  at  peculiar  crises  ; 
and  after  that  we  could  hear  him  exclaiming  : 

"  Look  out,  Rowl  !  Hang  it,  man  1  ye're  a-cuttin'  my 
claws  !  " 

In  a  few  minutes  the  hole  was  large  enough  to  pass  our 
bodies  ;  and  one  by  one  we  crawled  out,  and  were  once 
more  at  liberty. 


A  Cactus  Desert  in  the  Cordilleras. 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

MARIA     DE     MERCED. 


HERE  was  a  deep  ditch 
under  the  wall,  filled 
with  cactus-plants  and 
dry  grass.  We  lay  in 
the  bottom  of  this  for  some  min 
utes,  panting  with  fatigue.  Our 
limbs  were  stiff  and  swollen,  and 
we  could  hardly  stand  upright.  A  little  delay  then  was 
necessary,  to  bring  back  the  blood  and  determine  our  future 
course. 


MARIA   DE    MERCED.  285 

"  We  had  best  ter  keep  the  gully,"  whispered  Lincoln. 
"  I  kum  across  the  fields  myself,  but  that  'ar  kiver's  thin,  and 
they  may  sight  us." 

"  The  best  route  is  the  ditch,"  assented  Raoul :  "  there 
are  some  windows,  but  they  are  high,  and  we  can  crawl 
under  them." 

"  Forward,  then  !  "  I  whispered  to  Raoul. 

We  crept  down  the  ditch  on  all  fours,  passing  several  win 
dows  that  were  dark  and  shut.  We  reached  one,  the  last 
in  the  row,  where  the  light  streamed  through.  Notwith 
standing  our  perilous  situation,  I  resolved  to  look  in.  There 
was  an  impulse  upon  me  which  I  could  not  resist.  I 
was  yearning  for  some  clue  to  the  mystery  that  hung 
around  me. 

The  window  was  high  up,  but  it  was  grated  with  heavy 
bars  ;  and,  grasping  two  of  these,  I  swung  myself  to  its  level. 
Meanwhile  my  comrades  had  crept  into  the  magueys  to 
wait  for  me. 

I  raised  my  head  cautiously  and  looked  in.  It  was  a  room 
somewhat  elegantly  furnished,  but  my  eye  did  not  dwell  long 
on  that.  A  man  sitting  by  the  table  engrossed  my  atten 
tion.  This  man  was  Dubrosc.  The  light  was  full  upon 
his  face,  and  I  gazed  upon  its  hated  lines  until  I  felt  my 
frame  trembling  with  passion. 

I  can  give  no  idea  of  the  hate  this  man  had  inspired 
me  with.  Had  I  possessed  fire-arms,  I  could  not  have  re 
strained  myself  from  shooting  him  ;  and  but  for  the  iron 
grating,  I  should  have  sprung  through  the  sash  and  grappled 
him  with  my  hands.  I  have  thought  since  that  some  provi 
dence  held  me  back  from  making  a  demonstration  that 
would  have  baffled  our  escape.  I  am  sure  at  that  moment 
I  possessed  no  restraint  within  myself. 

As  I  gazed  at  Dubrosc,  the  door  of  the  apartment  opened, 
and  a  young  man  entered.  He  was  strangely  attired,  in  a 


286  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

costume  half  military,  half  ranchero.  There  was  a  fineness, 
a  silky  richness,  about  the  dress  and  manner  of  this  youth 
that  struck  me.  His  features  were  dark  and  beautiful. 

He  advanced  and  sat  down  by  the  table,  placing  his  hand 
upon  it.  Several  rings  sparkled  upon  his  fingers.  I  ob 
served  that  he  was  pale,  and  that  his  hand  trembled. 

After  looking  at  him  for  a  moment,  I  began  to  fancy  I 
had  seen  the  features  before.  It  was  not  Narcisso  ;  him  I 
should  have  known  ;  and  yet  there  was  a  resemblance. 
Yes — he  even  resembled  her !  I  started  as  this  thought 
crossed  me.  I  strained  my  eyes  ;  the  resemblance  grew 
stronger. 

Oh,  Heaven  1  could  it  be  ? — dressed  thus  ?  No,  no !  those 
eyes — ha !  I  remember  !  The  boy  at  the  rendezvous — on 
board  the  transport — the  island — the  picture  !  It  is  she — 
the  cousin — Maria  de  Merced  ! 

These  recollections  came  with  the  suddenness  of  a  single 
thought,  and  passed  as  quickly.  Later  memories  crowded 
upon  me.  The  adventure  of  the  morning — the  strange 
words  uttered  at  the  window  of  my  prison — the  small  hand  I 
This,  then,  was  the  author  of  our  deliverance. 

A  hundred  mysteries  were  explained  in  a  single  moment. 
The  unexpected  elucidation  came  like  a  shock — like  a  sud 
den  light.  I  staggered  back,  giving  way  to  new  and  singu 
lar  emotions. 

"  Guadalupe  knows  nothing  of  my  presence,  then.  She 
is  innocent." 

This  thought  alone  restored  me  to  happiness.  A  thou 
sand  others  rushed  through  my  brain  in  quick  succession 
• — some  pleasant,  others  painful. 

There  was  an  altercation  of  voices  over  my  head.  I  caught 
the  iron  rods,  and,  resting  my  toes  upon  a  high  bank,  swung 
my  body  up,  and  again  looked  into  the  room.  Dubrosc  was 
now  angrily  pacing  over  the  floor. 


MARIA   DE    MERCED.  287 

"  Bah  1 "  he  ejaculated,  with  a  look  of  cold  brutality  ; 
"  you  think  to  make  me  jealous,  I  believe.  That  isn't  pos 
sible.  I  was  never  so,  and  you  can't  do  it.  I  know  you 
love  the  cursed  Yankee.  I  watched  you  in  the  ship — on  the 
island,  too.  You  had  better  keep  him  company  where  he  is 
going.  Ha  1  ha !  Jealous,  indeed  1  Your  pretty  cousins 
have  grown  up  since  I  saw  them  last." 

The  insinuation  sent  the  blood  in  a  hot  stream  through 
my  veins. 

It  appeared  to  have  a  similar  effect  upon  the  woman  ;  for 
starting  from  her  seat,  she  looked  towards  Dubrosc,  her  eyes 
flashing  like  globes  of  fire. 

11  Yes  !  "  she  exclaimed  ;  "  and  if  you  dare  whisper  your 
polluting  thoughts  to  either  of  them,  lawless  as  is  this  land, 
you  know  that  I  still  possess  the  power  to  punish  you.  You 
are  villain  enough,  Heaven  knows,  for  anything  ;  but  they 
shall  not  fall  :  one  victim  is  enough — and  such  a  one  1  " 

"  Victim,  indeed !  "  replied  the  man,  evidently  cowed  by 
the  other's  threat.  "  You  call  yourself  victim,  Marie  ?  The 
wife  of  the  handsomest  man  in  Mexico  ?  Ha  I  ha  1  " 

There  was  something  of  irony  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
speech,  and  the  emphasis  placed  on  the  word  "wife." 

"  Yes  ;  you  may  well  taunt  me  with  your  false  priest,  you 
unfeeling  wretch!  Oh,  Santisima  Madre  !"  continued  she, 
dropping  back  into  her  chair,  and  pressing  her  head  between 
her  hands.  "  Beguiled — beggared — almost  unsexed  1  and 
yet  I  never  loved  the  man  !  It  was  not  love,  but  madness 
— madness  and  fascination  1  " 

The  last  words  were  uttered  in  soliloquy,  as  though  she 
regarded  not  the  presence  of  her  companion. 

"  I  don't  care  a  claco,"  cried  he  fiercely,  and  evidently 
piqued  at  her  declaration — "  not  one  claco  whether  you  ever 
loved  me  or  not !  That's  not  the  question  now,  but  this 
is :  You  must  make  yourself  known  to  your  Croesus  of  an 


.288  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

uncle  here,  and  demand  that  part  of  your  fortune  that  he 
still  clutches  within  his  avaricious  old  fingers.  You  must  do 
this  to-morrow." 

"  I  will  not !  " 

"  But  you  shall,  or " 

The  woman  rose  suddenly,  and  walked  towards  the  door 
as  if  she  intended  to  go  out. 

"  No,  not  to-night,  dearest,"  said  Dubrosc,  grasping  her 
rudely  by  the  arm.  "  I  have  my  reasons  for  keeping  you  here. 
I  noted  you  to-day  speaking  with  that  cursed  Yankee,  and 
you're  just  traitor  enough  to  help  him  to  escape.  I'll  look 
to  him  myself,  so  you  may  stay  where  you  are.  If  you 
should  choose  to  rise  early  enough  to-morrow  morning,  you 
will  have  the  felicity  of  seeing  him  dance  upon  the  tight 
rope.  Ha  !  ha  1  ha  1  " 

And  with  a  savage  laugh  the  Creole  walked  out  of  the 
room,  locking  the  door  behind  him. 

A  strange  expression  played  over  the  features  of  the  wo 
man — a  blending  of  triumph  with  anxiety.  She  ran  forward 
to  the  window,  and,  pressing  her  small  lips  close  to  the 
glass,  strained  her  eyes  outward. 

I  held  the  diamond  in  my  fingers,  and,  stretching  up 
until  my  hand  was  opposite  her  face,  I  wrote  the  word 
"  Grarias." 

At  first  seeing  me  she  had  started  back.  There  was  no 
time  to  be  lost.  My  comrades  were  already  chafing  at  my 
delay  ;  and,  joining  them,  we  crept  through  the  magueys,. 
parting  the  broad,  stiff  leaves  with  our  fingers.  We  were 
soon  upon  the  edge  of  the  chapparal  wood. 

I  looked  back  towards  the  window.  The  woman  stood 
holding  the  lamp,  and  its  light  was  full  upon  her  face.  She 
had  read  the  scrawl,  and  was  gazing  out  with  an  expression 
I  shall  never  forget.  Another  bound,  and  we  were  "  in  the 
woods." 


THE    PURSUIT. 


289 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

THE    PURSUIT. 


OR  a  time  there  was  a 
strange  irresolution  in 
my  flight.     The  idea 
of  leaving  Guadalupe 
in  such  company — that  after  all 
they  might  be  prisoners,  or,  even 
if   not,  the    thought   that   they 
were  in  the  power  of  Dubrosc 
to  any   extent — was  enough  to 
render  me  wretched   and   irre 
solute.     But  what  could  we  do 
— five  men,  almost  unarmed  ? 

"  It  would  be  madness  to 
remain  —  madness  and  death. 
The  woman  —  she  possesses 
some  mysterious  power  over  this 
brute,  her  paramour  ;  she  will 
guard  them." 

This  thought  decided  me,  and 
I  yielded  myself  freely  to  flight. 
We  had  but  little  fear  of  being 
caught  again.  We  had  too  much 
confidence,  particularly  Lincoln 
and  myself,  in  our  forest-craft. 

Han^Tests  of  tropical  Raoul  knew  a11  the   country,  the 
Weaver  Birds.  thickets    and   the    passes.     We 

stopped  a  moment   to   deliberate  on  the  track  we  should 
take.     A    bugle  rang  out  behind  us,  and  the  next  instant 


290  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  report  of  a  cannon  thundered  in  a  thousand  echoes 
along  the  glen. 

"  It  is  from  the  hacienda,"  said  Raoul ;  "  they  have  missed 
us  already." 

"  Is  that  '  sign,'  Rowl  ? "  asked  Lincoln. 

"  It  is,"  replied  the  other  ;  "  it's  to  warn  their  scouts. 
They're  all  over  these  hills.  We  must  look  sharp." 

"  I  don't  like  this  hyur  timber  ;  it's  too  scant.  Cudn't 
yer  put  us  in  the  crik  bottom,  Rowl  ?  " 

"  There's  a  heavy  chapparal,"  said  the  Frenchman,  musing ; 
"  it's  ten  miles  off.  If  we  could  reach  that  we're  safe — a  wolf 
can  hardly  crawl  through  it.  We  must  make  it  before  day." 

"  Lead  on,  then,  Rowl !  " 

We  stole  along  with  cautious  steps.  The  rustling  of  a 
leaf  or  the  cracking  of  a  dead  stick  might  betray  us  ;  for 
we  could  hear  signals  upon  all  sides,  and  our  pursuers  pass 
ing  us  in  small  parties,  within  earshot. 

We  bore  to  the  right,  in  order  to  reach  the  creek  bottom 
of  which  Lincoln  had  spoken.  We  soon  came  into  this,  and 
followed  the  stream  down,  but  not  on  the  bank.  Lincoln 
would  not  hear  of  our  taking  the  bank  path,  arguing  that 
our  pursuers  would  be  "  sartin  ter  f oiler  the  cl'ar  trail." 

The  hunter  was  right,  for  shortly  after  a  party  came  down  the 
stream.  We  could  hear  the  clinking  of  their  accouterments, 
and  even  the  conversation  of  some  of  the  men,  as  follows  : 

"  But,  in  the  first  place,  how  did  they  get  loose  within  ? 
and  who  cut  the  wall  from  the  outside,  unless  some  one  helped 
them  ?  Carajo  !  it's  not  possible." 

"  That's  true,  JoseY'  said  another  voice.  "  Some  one  must, 
and  I  believe  it  was  that  giant  that  got  away  from  us  at  the 
rancho.  The  shot  that  killed  the  snake  came  from  the  chap 
paral,  and  yet  we  searched  and  found  nobody.  Mark  my 
words,  it  was  he ;  and  I  believe  he  has  hung  upon  our  track 
all  the  way." 


THE    PURSUIT.  291 

Vaya  /"  exclaimed  another;  "  I  shouldn't  much  like  to  be 
under  the  range  of  his  rifle ;  they  say  he  can  kill  a  mile  off, 
and  hit  wherever  he  pleases.  He  shot  the  snake  right 
through  the  eyes." 

"  By  the  Virgin  1  "  said  one  of  the  guerilleros,  laughing, 
4  he  must  have  been  a  snake  of  good  taste  to  be  caught  toy 
ing  around  that  dainty  daughter  of  the  old  Spaniard  !  It 
reminds  me  of  what  the  Book  tells  about  Mother  Eva  and 
'the  old  serpent.  Now,  if  the  Yankee's  bullet " 

We  could  hear  no  more,  as  the  voices  died  away  in  the 
distance  and  under  the  sound  of  the  water. 

"  Ay,"  muttered  Lincoln,  finishing  the  sentence ;  "  if  the 
Yankee's  bullet  hadn't  been  needed  for  the  varmint,  some  o* 
yer  wudn't  a'  been  waggin'  yer  clappers  as  ye  air." 

"  It  was  you,  then  ?  "  I  asked,  turning  to  the  hunter. 

"  'Twur,  cap'n  ;  but  for  the  cussed  catawampus,  I  'ud  'a 
gin  Mister  Dubrosc  his  ticket.  I  hed  a'most  sighted  him 
when  I  seed  the  flash  o'  the  thing's  eye,  an'  I  knowed  it 
wur  a-gwine  to  strike  the  gal." 

"  And  Jack  ?  "  I  inquired,  now  for  the  first  time  thinking 
of  the  boy. 

"  I  guess  he's  safe  enuf,  cap'n.  I  sent  the  little  feller 
back  with  word  ter  the  kurnel." 

"  Ha  !  then  we  may  expect  them  from  camp  ?  " 

"  No  doubt  on  it,  cap'n  ;  but  yer  see,  if  they  kum,  they 
may  not  be  able  to  foller  us  beyond  the  rancho.  So  it'll  be 
best  for  us  not  to  depend  on  them,  but  ter  take  Rowl's  track." 

"  You  are  right.     Lead  on,  Raoul  1  " 

After  a  painful  journey  we  reached  the  thicket  of  which 
Raoul  had  spoken  ;  and  dragging  ourselves  into  it,  we  came 
to  a  small  opening,  covered  with  long  dry  grass.  Upon  this 
luxurious  couch  we  resolved  to  make  a  bivouac.  We  were 
all  worn  down  by  the  fatigues  of  the  day  and  night  preced 
ing,  and,  throwing  ourselves  upon  the  grass,  in  a  few  minutes 
were  asleep. 


Indian  Chivalry  in  Mexico  :  Her  Lord  and  Master. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

A    NEW   AND    TERRIBLE    ENEMY. 

T  was  daylight  when   I   awoke — broad  day 
light.     My  companions,  all  but  Clayley,  were 
already   astir,  and  had  kindled  a  fire  with  a 
species  of  wood  known  to  Raoul,  that  pro 
duced  hardly  any  smoke.     They  were  preparing 
breakfast.     On  a  limb  close  by  hung  the  hideous, 
human-like    carcass    of   an   iguana,   still  writhing. 
Raoul  was  whetting  a  knife  to  skin  it,  while  Lin 
coln  was   at  some    distance,    carefully   reloading   his   rifle. 
The    Irishman  lay  upon   the   grass,  peeling   bananas   and 
roasting  them  over  the  fire. 
292 


A   NEW  AND   TERRIBLE    ENEMY  2Q3 

The  iguana  was  soon  skinned  and  broiled,  and  we  all  of 
us  commenced  eating  with  good  appetites. 

"  Be  Saint  Pathrick  !  "  said  Chane,  "  this  bates  frog-atin' 
all  hollow.  It's  little  meself  dhramed,  on  the  Owld  Sod, 
hearin'  of  thim  niggers  in  furrin  parts,  that  I'd  be  turning 
kannybawl  meself  some  day  !  " 

"  Don't  you  like  it,  Murtagh  ?  "  asked  Raoul  jocosely. 

"  Och  !  indade,  yes ;  it's  betther  than  an  empty  brid- 
basket ;  but  if  yez  could  only  taste  a  small  thrifle  ov  a 
Wicklow  ham  this  mornin,'  an'  a  smilin'  pratie,  instid  of  this 
brown  soap,  yez " 

"  Hisht !  "  said  Lincoln,  starting  suddenly,  and  holding 
the  bite  half-way  to  his  mouth. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  I'll  tell  yer  in  a  minit,  cap'n." 

The  hunter  waved  his  hand  to  injoin  silence,  and,  striding 
to  the  edge  of  the  glade,  fell  flat  to  the  ground.  We  knew 
he  was  listening,  and  waited  for  the  result.  We  had  not 
long  to  wait,  for  he  had  scarce  brought  his  ear  in  contact 
with  the  earth  when  he  sprang  suddenly  up  again,  ex 
claiming  : 

"  Hourfs  trailirf  us,  by  the  Eternal  Heavens  /" 

It  was  seldom  that  Lincoln  uttered  an  oath,  and  when  he 
did  there  was  something  awful  in  his  manner.  He  wore  a 
despairing  look,  too,  unusual  to  the  bold  character  of  his 
features.  This,  with  the  appalling  statement,  acted  on  us 
like  a  galvanic  shock,  and  by  one  impulse  we  leaped  from 
the  fire,  and  threw  ourselves  flat  upon  the  grass. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  as  we  strained  our  ears  to  listen. 

At  first  we  could  distinguish  a  low  moaning  sound,  like 
the  hum  of  a  wild  bee  ;  it  seemed  to  come  out  of  the  earth. 
After  a  little  it  grew  louder  and  sharper ;  then  it  ended  in  a 
yelp  and  ceased  altogether.  After  a  short  interval  it  began 
afresh,  this  time  Still  clearer ;  then  came  the  yelp,  loud,  sharp, 


294  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

and  vengeful.  There  was  no  mistaking  that  sound.  //  wai 
the  bark  of  the  Spanish  bloodhound. 

We  sprang  up  simultaneously,  looking  around  for  weapons, 
and  then  staring  at  each  other  with  an  expression  of  despair. 

The  rifle  and  two  case-knives  were  all  the  weapons  we  had. 

"  What's  to  be  done  ?  "  cried  one,  and  all  eyes  were  turned 
upon  Lincoln. 

The  hunter  stood  motionless,  clutching  his  rifle  and  look 
ing  to  the  ground. 

"  How  fur's  the  crik,  Rowl  ?  "  he  asked  after  a  pause. 

"  Not  two  hundred  yards  ;  this  way  it  lies." 

"  I  kin  see  no  other  chance,  cap'n,  than  ter  take  the  water : 
we  may  bamfoozle  the  houn's  a  bit,  if  thar's  good  wadin'." 

"  Nor  I."  I  had  thought  of  the  same  plan. 

"  If  we  hed  hed  bowies,  we  mouter  fit  the  dogs  whar  we 
air,  but  yer  see  we  hain't ;  an'  I  kin  tell  by  thar  growl  thar 
ain't  less  nor  a  dozen  on  'em." 

"  It's  no  use  to  remain  here ;  lead  us  to  the  creek,  Raoul ; " 
and,  following  the  Frenchman,  we  dashed  recklessly  through 
the  thicket. 

On  reaching  the  stream  we  plunged  in.  .It  was  one  of 
those  mountain  torrents  common  in  Mexico — spots  of  still 
water  alternating  with  cascades,  that  dash  and  foam  over 
shapeless  masses  of  amygdaloidal  basalt.  We  waded  through 
the  first  pool,  and  then,  clambering  among  the  rocks,  entered 
a  second.  This  was  a  good  stretch,  a  hundred  yards  or 
more  of  still,  crystal  water,  in  which  we  were  waist-deep. 

We  took  the  bank  at  the  lower,  and  on  the  same  side,  and, 
striking  back  into  the  timber,  kept  on  parallel  to  the  course 
of  the  stream.  We  did  not  go  far  away  from  the  water,  lest 
we  might  be  pushed  again  to  repeat  the  ruse. 

All  this  time  the  yelping  of  the  bloodhounds  had  been 
ringing  in  our  ears.  Suddenly  it  ceased. 

"  They  have  reached  the  water,"  said  Clayley. 


A   NEW  AND   TERRIBLE    ENEMY.  295 

"  No,"  rejoined  Lincoln,  stopping  a  moment  to  listen : 
"  they're  chawin'  the  bones  of  the  varmint." 

"  There  again  !  cried  one,  as  their  deep  voices  rang  down 
the  glen  in  the  chorus  of  the  whole  pack.  The  next  minute 
Jhe  dogs  were  mute  a  second  time,  speaking  at  intervals  in 
a  fierce  growl  that  told  us  they  were  at  fault. 

Beyond  an  occasional  bark  we  heard  nothing  of  the  blood 
hounds  until  we  had  gained  at  least  two  miles  down  the 
stream.  We  began  to  think  we  had  baffled  them  in  earnest, 
when  Lincoln,  who  had  kept  in  the  rear,  was  seen  to  throw 
himself  flat  upon  the  grass.  We  all  stopped,  looking  at  him 
with  breathless  anxiety.  It  was  but  a  minute.  Rising  up 
with  a  reckless  air,  he  struck  his  rifle  fiercely  upon  the 
ground,  exclaiming : 

"  Hades  swamp  them  cussed  houn's  !  they're  arter  us  agin  ! " 

By  one  impulse  we  all  rushed  back  to  the  creek,  and, 
scrambling  over  the  rocks,  plunged  into  the  water  and  com 
menced  wading  down. 

A  sudden  exclamation  burst  from  Raoul  in  the  advance. 
We  soon  learnt  the  cause,  and  to  our  dismay.  We  had 
struck  the  water  at  a  point  where  the  stream  canoned. 

On  each  side  rose  a  frowning  precipice,  straight  as  a  wall. 
Between  these  the  black  torrent  rushed  through  a  channel 
only  a  few  feet  in  width  so  swiftly  that,  had  we  attempted  to 
descend  by  swimming,  we  should  have  been  dashed  to  death 
against  the  rocks  below. 

To  reach  the  stream  farther  down  it  would  be  necessary 
to  make  a  circuit  of  miles ;  and  the  hounds  would  be  on  out 
heels  before  we  could  gain  three  hundred  yards. 

We  looked  at  each  other  and  at  Lincoln,  all  panting  and 
pale. 

.  "  Stumped  at  last  1 "  cried  the  hunter,  gritting  his  teeth 
with  fury. 

"  No  1 "  I  shouted,  a  thought  at  that   moment  flashing 


THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

upon  me.  "  Follow  me,  comrades  1  We'll  fight  the  blood 
hounds  upon  the  cliff." 

I  pointed  upward.  A  yell  from  Lincoln  announced  his 
approval. 

"  Hooray  !  "  he  cried,  leaping  on  the  bank  ;  "  that  idee's 
jest  like  yer,  cap.  Hooray  !  Now,  boys,  for  the  bluff  1  " 

Next  moment  we  were  straining  up  the  gorge  that  led  to 
the  precipice ;  and  the  next  we  had  reached  the  highest 
point,  where  the  cliff,  by  a  bold  projection,  butted  over  the 
stream.  There  was  a  level  platform  covered  with  tufted 
grass,  and  upon  this  we  took  our  stand. 


Indian  Weapons. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 


A    BATTLE    WITH     BLOODHOUNDS. 


E  stood  for  some  mo 
ments  gathering 
breath  and  nerving 
ourselves  for  the  des 
perate  struggle.  I  could  not 
help  looking  over  the  precipice. 
It  was  a  fearful  sight.  Below, 
in  a  vertical  line  two  hundred 
feet  below,  the  stream  rushing 
through  the  canon  broke  upon 
a  bed  of  sharp,  jagged  rocks, 
and  then  glided  on  in  seething 
snow-white  foam.  There  was  no  object  between  the  eye 
and  the  water ;  no  jutting  ledge,  not  even  a  tree,  to  break 
the  fall — nothing  but  the  spiky  boulders  below,  and  the 
foaming  torrent  that  washed  them. 

It  was  some  minutes  before  our  unnatural  enemies  made 
their  appearance,  but  every  howl  sounded  nearer  and  nearer. 
Our  trail  was  warm,  and  we  knew  they  were  scenting  it  on 
a  run.  At  length  the  bushes  crackled,  and  we  could  see 
their  white  breasts  gleaming  through  the  leaves.  A  few 
more  springs,  and  the  foremost  bloodhound  bounded  out 

297 


2Q8  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

upon  the  bank,  and,  throwing  up  his  broad  jaw,  uttered  a 
hideous  "  growl." 

He  was  at  fault  where  we  had  entered  the  water.  His 
comrades  now  dashed  out  of  the  thicket,  and,  joining  in  a 
chorus  of  disappointment,  scattered  among  the  stones. 

An  old  dog,  scarred  and  cunning,  kept  along  the  bank 
until  he  had  reached  the  top  of  the  canon.  This  was  where 
we  had  made  our  crossing.  Here  the  hound  entered  the 
channel,  and,  springing  from  rock  to  rock,  reached  the  point 
where  we  had  dragged  ourselves  out  of  the  water.  A  short 
yelp  announced  to  his  comrades  that  he  had  lifted  the  scent, 
and  they  all  threw  up  their  noses  and  came  galloping  down. 

There  was  a  swift  current  between  two  large  boulders  of 
basalt.  We  had  leaped  this.  The  old  dog  reached  it,  and 
stood  straining  upon  the  spring,  when  Lincoln  fired,  and  the 
hound,  with  a  short  "  wough,"  dropped  in  upon  his  head 
and  was  carried  off  like  a  flash. 

"  Counts  one  less  to  pitch  over,"  said  the  hunter,  hastily 
reloading  his  rifle. 

Without  appearing  to  notice  the  strange  conduct  of  their 
leader,  the  others  crossed  in  a  string,  and,  striking  the  warm 
trail,  came  yelling  up  the  pass.  It  was  a  grassy  slope,  such 
as  is  often  seen  between  two  tables  of  a  cliff ;  and  as  the 
dogs  strained  upward  we  could  see  their  white  fangs  and  the 
red  blood  that  had  baited  them  clotted  along  their  jaws. 
Another  crack  from  Lincoln's  rifle,  and  the  foremost  hound 
tumbled  back  down  the  gorge. 

"  Two  rubbed  out ! "  cried  the  hunter,  and  at  the  same 
moment  I  saw  him  fling  his  rifle  to  the  ground. 

The  hounds  kept  the  trail  no  longer.  Their  quarry  was 
before  them  ;  their  howling  ended,  and  they  sprang  upon  us 
with  the  silence  of  the  assassin.  The  next  moment  we  were 
mingled  together,  dogs  and  men,  in  the  fearful  struggle  of 
life  and  death  I 


A   BATTLE   WITH    BLOODHOUNDS.  2QQ 

I  know  not  how  long  this  strange  encounter  lasted.  I  felt 
myself  grappling  with  the  tawny  monsters  and  hurling  them 
over  the  cliff.  Now  they  sprang  at  my  throat,  and  I  threw 
out  my  arms,  thrusting  them  fearlessly  between  the  shining 
rows  of  teeth.  Then  I  was  free  again,  and,  seizing  a  leg, 
or  a  tail,  or  the  loose  flaps  of  the  neck,  I  dragged  a  savage 
brute  towards  the  brink,  and,  summoning  all  my  strength, 
dashed  him  against  its  brow,  and  saw  him  tumble  howling 
over. 

Once  I  lost  my  balance  and  nearly  staggered  over  the 
precipice,  and  at  length,  panting,  bleeding,  and  exhausted,  I 
fell  to  the  earth.  I  could  struggle  no  longer. 

I  looked  around  for  my  comrades.  Clayley  and  Raoul 
had  sunk  upon  the  grass,  and  lay  torn  and  bleeding.  Lincoln 
and  Chane,  holding  a  hound  between  them,  were  balancing 
him  over  the  bluff. 

"  Now,  Murter,"  cried  the  hunter,  "  giv'  him  a  good  heist, 
and  see  if  we  kin  pitch  him  cl'ar  on  t'other  side ;  hee-woop  1 
— hoo  ! " 

And  with  this  ejaculation  the  kicking  animal  was  launched 
into  the  air.  I  could  not  resist  looking  after.  The  yellow 
body  bounded  from  the  face  of  the  opposite  cliff,  and  fell 
with  a  heavy  plash  upon  the  water  below. 

He  was  the  last  of  the  pack  1 


t\-  -Trf-*.- -— v«X**«a«-*«L-?^£^^^.<'>..   •*KJfJL  4HM,  \^^^ic-»  i*  'vfTT'y"  x   ••»-*.  -At* •  ,.  w> 

ks^^us^aBs^^^ 


fr^dri'jgwfgi: __^ _______ 

Sioux  Indians,  in  Wolf  Skins,  Hunting  Buffalo. 


CHAPTER  XL VI. 

AN    INDIAN    RUSE. 

WILD  shout  now  drew  our  atten 
tion,  and,  looking  up  the  creek,  we 
saw  our  pursuers  just  debouching 
from  the  woods.  They  were  all 
mounted,  and  pressing  their  mus 
tangs  down  to  the  bank,  where  they 
halted  with  a  strange  cry. 

"  What  is  that,  Raoul  ?     Can  you  tell  the  meaning  of  that 
cry?" 

"  They  are  disappointed,  captain.     They  must  dismount 
and  foot  it  like  ourselves  ;  there  is  no  crossing  for  horses." 

"  Good.     Oh,  if  we  had  but  a  rifle  each  !     This  pass " 

I  looked  down  the  gorge.     We  could  have  defended  it  against 
the  whole  party,  but  we  were  unarmed. 

The  guerilleros  now  dismounted,  tying  their  horses  to  the 

trees  and  preparing  to  cross  over.     One,  who  seemed  to  be 

their  leader,  judging  from  his  brilliant  dress  and  plumes, 

had  already  advanced  into  the  stream,  and  stood  upon  a 

300 


AN    INDIAN    RUSE.  301 

projecting  rock  with  his  sword  drawn.  He  was  not  more 
than  three  hundred  yards  from  the  position  we  occupied  on 
the  bluff. 

"  Do  you  think  you  can  reach  him  ?  "  I  said  to  Lincoln, 
who  had  reloaded  his  gun,  and  stood  eying  the  Mexican, 
apparently  calculating  the  distance. 

"  I'm  feerd,  cap'n,  he's  too  fur.  I'd  guv  a  half-year's 
sodger-pay  for  a  crack  out  o'  the  major's  Dutch  gun.  We 
can  lose  nothin'  in  tryin'.  Murter,  will  yer  stan'  afore  me  ? 
Thar  ain't  no  kiver,  an'  the  feller's  watchin'.  He'll  dodge 
like  a  duck  if  he  sees  me  takin*  sight  on  'im." 

Chane  threw  his  large  body  in  front,  and  Lincoln,  cau 
tiously  slipping  his  rifle  over  his  comrade's  shoulder,  sighted 
the  Mexican. 

The  latter  had  noticed  the  maneuver,  and,  perceiving  the 
danger  he  had  thrust  himself  into,  was  about  turning  to  leap 
down  from  the  rock  when  the  rifle  cracked — his  plumed  hat 
flew  off,  and,  throwing  out  his  arms,  he  fell  with  a  dead 
plunge  upon  the  water !  The  next  moment  his  body  was 
sucked  into  the  current,  and,  followed  by  his  hat  and  plumes, 
was  borne  down  the  canon  with  the  velocity  of  lightning. 

Several  of  his  comrades  uttered  a  cry  of  terror  ;  arid  those 
who  had  followed  him  out  into  the  open  channel  ran  back 
towards  the  bank,  and  screened  themselves  behind  the  rocks. 
A  voice,  louder  than  the  rest,  was  heard  exclaiming  : 

"  Carajo  I  guardaos  ! — esta  el  rifle  del  dtablo!"  (Look 
out !  it  is  the  devil's  rifle  ! ) 

It  was  doubtless  the  comrade  of  Jose',  who  had  been  in 
the  skirmish  of  La  Virgen,  and  had  felt  the  bullet  of  the 
zundnadeL 

The  guerilleros,  awed  by  the  death  of  their  leader — for  it 
was  Yanez  who  had  fallen — crouched  behind  the  rocks. 
Even  those  who  had  remained  with  the  horses,  six  hundred 
yards  off,  sheltered  themselves  behind  trees  and  projections 


302  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

of  the  bank.  The  party  nearest  us  kept  loading  and  firing 
their  escopettes.  Their  bullets  flattened  upon  the  face  of 
the  cliff  or  whistled  over  our  heads.  Clayley,  Chane,  Raoul, 
and  myself,  being  unarmed,  had  thrown  ourselves  behind 
the  scarp  to  avoid  catching  a  stray  shot.  Not  so  Lincoln, 
who  stood  boldly  out  on  the  highest  point  of  the  bluff,  as  if 
disdaining  to  dodge  their  bullets. 

I  never  saw  a  man  so  completely  soaring  above  the  fear 
of  death.  There  was  a  sublimity  about  him  that  I  remember 
being  struck  with  at  the  time  ;  and  I  remember,  too,  feeling 
the  inferiority  of  my  own  courage.  It  was  a  stupendous 
picture,  as  he  stood  like  a  colossus  clutching  his  deadly 
weapon,  and  looking  over  his  long  brown  beard  at  the  skulk 
ing  and  cowardly  foe.  He  stood  without  a  motion — without 
even  winking — although  the  leaden  hail  hurtled  past  his 
head,  and  cut  the  grass  at  his  feet  with  that  peculiar  "  zip- 
zip  "  so  well  remembered  by  the  soldier  who  has  passed  the 
ordeal  of  a  battle. 

There  was  something  in  it  awfully  grand — awful  even  to 
us :  no  wonder  that  it  awed  our  enemies. 

I  was  about  to  call  upon  Lincoln  to  fall  back  and  shelter 
himself,  when  I  saw  him  throw  up  his  rifle  to  the  level.  The 
next  instant  he  dropped  the  butt  to  the  ground  with  a  gesture 
of  disappointment.  A  moment  after  the  maneuver  was  re 
peated  with  a  similar  result,  and  I  could  hear  the  hunter 
gritting  his  teeth. 

"  The  cowardly  skunks  !  "  mattered  he ;  "  they  keep  a- 
gwine  like  a  bull's  tail  in  fly-time." 

In  fact,  every  time  Lincoln  brought  his  piece  to  a  level 
the  guerilleros  ducked,  until  not  a  head  could  be  seen. 

"  They  ain't  as  good  as  thar  own  dogs,"  continued  the 
hunter,  turning  away  from  the  cliff.  "  If  we  hed  a  lot  of 
loose  rocks,  cap'n,  we  mout  keep  them  down  thar  till  dooms 
day." 


AN    INDIAN    RUSE.  303 

A  movement  was  now  visible  among  the  guerilleros 
About  one-half  of  the  party  were  seen  to  mount  their  horses 
and  gallop  off  up  the  creek. 

"  They're  gone  round  by  the  ford,"  said  Raoul :  "  it's  not 
over  a  mile  and  a  half.  They  can  cross  with  their  horses 
there  and  will  be  on  us  in  half  an  hour." 

What  was  to  be  done  ?  There  was  no  timber  to  hide  us 
now — no  chapparal.  The  country  behind  the  cliff  was  a 
sloping  table,  with  here  and  there  a  stunted  palm-tree  or  a 
bunch  of  "Spanish  bayonet"  (yucca  angustifolia) .  This 
would  be  no  shelter,  for  from  the  point  we  occupied,  the 
most  elevated  on  the  ridge,  we  could  have  descried  an  object 
of  human  size  five  miles  off.  At  that  distance  from  us  the 
woods  began ;  but  could  we  reach  them  before  our  pursuers 
would  overtake  us  ? 

Had  the  guerilleros  all  gone  off  by  the  ford  we  should 
have  returned  to  the  creek  bottom,  but  a  party  remained 
below,  and  we  were  cut  off  from  our  former  hiding-place. 
We  must  therefore  strike  for  the  woods. 

But  it  was  necessary  first  to  decoy  the  party  below,  other 
wise  they  would  be  after  us  before  the  others,  and  experi 
ence  had  taught  us  that  these  Mexicans  could  .run  like 
hares. 

This  was  accomplished  by  an  old  Indian  trick  that  both 
Lincoln  and  myself  had  practised  before.  It  would  not  have 
"fooled"  a  Texan  Ranger,  but  it  succeeded  handsomely 
with  the  guerilleros. 

We  first  threw  ourselves  on  the  ground  in  such  a  position 
that  only  our  heads  could  be  seen  by  the  enemy,  who  still 
kept  blazing  away  from  their  escopettes.  After  a  short  while 
our  faces  gradually  sank  behind  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  until 
nothing  but  our  forage  caps  appeared  above  the  sward.  We 
lay  thus  for  some  moments,  showing  a  face  or  two  at  in 
tervals.  Our  time  was  precious,  and  we  could  not  perform 


304 


THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 


the  pantomime  to  perfection  ;  but  we  were  not  dealing  with 
Comanches,  and  for  "  Don  Diego  "  it  was  sufficiently  artis- 
tical. 

Presently  we  slipped  our  heads  one  by  one  out  of  their 
covers,  leaving  the  five  caps  upon  the  grass  inclining  to  each 
other  in  the  most  natural  positions.  We  then  stole  back 
lizard-fashion,  and,  after  sprawling  a  hundred  yards  or  so, 
rose  to  our  feet  and  ran  like  scared  dogs.  We  could  tell 
that  we  had  duped  the  party  below,  as  we  heard  them  firing 
away  at  our  empty  caps  long  after  we  had  left  the  scene  of 
our  late  adventure. 


Heathenish  Rites  Among  the  Indians. 


Group  of  Ancient  Indian  Mummies,  Once  Prominent  Citizens,  now 
in  Retired  Life. 


CHAPTER  XLVII. 

A  COUP  D'£CLAIR. 

ANY  an  uneasy  look  was  thrown 
over  our  shoulders  as  we  strug 
gled    down    that    slope.     Our 
strength  was  urged  to  its  ut 
most  ;  and  this  was  not  much,  for  we  had 
all  lost  blood  in  our  encounter  with  the 
sleuth-hounds,  and  felt  weak  and  faint. 
We  were  baffled,  too,  by  a  storm — a  fierce  tropical  storm. 
The  rain,  thick  and  heavy,  plashed  in  our  faces,  and  made 
20  3°5 


306  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

the  ground  slippery  under  our  feet.  The  lightning  flashed 
in  our  eyes,  and  the  electric  sulphur  shortened  our  breathing. 
Still  we  coughed  and  panted  and  staggered  onward,  nerved 
by  the  knowledge  that  death  was  behind  us. 

I  shall  never  forget  that  fearful  race.  I  thought  it  would 
never  end.  I  can  only  liken  it  to  one  of  those  dreams  in 
which  we  are  always  making  endeavors  to.  escape  from 
some  horrible  monster,  and  are  as  often  hindered  by  a  strange 
and  mysterious  helplessness.  I  remember  it  now  as  then. 
I  have  often  repeated  that  flight  in  my  sleep,  and  always 
awoke  with  a  feeling  of  shuddering  horror. 

We  had  got  within  five  hundred  yards  of  the  timber. 
Five  hundred  yards  is  not  much  to  a  fresh  runner ;  but  to 
us,  toiling  along  at  a  trot  that  much  more  resembled  a  walk, 
it  seemed  an  infinity.  A  small  prairie,  with  a  stream  beyond, 
separated  us  from  the  edge  of  the  woods, — a  smooth  sward 
without  a  single  tree.  We  had  entered  upon  it — Raoul,  who 
was  light  of  foot,  being  in  the  advance,  while  Lincoln  from 
choice  hung  in  the  rear. 

An  exclamation  from  the  hunter  caused  us  to  look  back. 
We  were  too  much  fatigued  and  worn  out  to  be  frightened  at 
the  sight.  Along  the  crest  of  the  hill  a  hundred  horsemen 
were  dashing  after  us  in  full  gallop,  and  the  next  moment 
their  vengeful  screams  were  ringing  in  our  ears. 

"  Now,  do  yer  best,  boys  !  "  cried  Lincoln,  "  an'  I'll  stop 
the  cavortin'  of  that  'ere  foremost  feller  afore  he  gits  much 
furrer." 

We  trailed  our  bodies  on,  but  we  could  hear  the  gueril- 
leros  fast  closing  upon  us.  The  bullets  from  their  escopettes 
whistled  in  our  ears,  and  cut  the  grass  around  our  feet.  I 
saw  Raoul,  who  had  reached  the  timber,  turn  suddenly 
round  and  walk  back.  He  had  resolved  to  share  our  fate. 

"  Save  yourself,  Raoul  1 "  I  called  with  my  weak  voice, 
but  he  could  not  have  heard  me  above  the  din. 


A  COUP  D'ECLAIR.  307 

I  saw  him  still  walking  towards  us.  I  heard  the  screams 
behind  ;  I  heard  the  shots,  and  the  whizzing  of  bullets,  and 
the  fierce  shouts. 

I  heard  the  clatter  of  hoofs,  and  the  rasping  of  sabers  as 
they  leaped  out  of  their  iron  sheaths  ;  and  among  these  I 
heard  the  crack  of  Lincoln's  rifle,  and  the  wild  yell  of  the 
hunter.  Then  a  peal  of  thunder  drowned  all  other  sounds : 
the  heavens  one  moment  seemed  on  fire,  then  black — black. 
I  felt  the  stifling  smell  of  sulphur — a  hot  flash — a  quick 
stroke  from  some  invisible  hand — and  I  sank  senseless  to 
the  earth ! 

*  #  #  *  *  4 

Something  cool  in  my  throat  and  over  my  face  brought 
back  the  consciousness  that  I  lived.  It  was  water. 

I  opened  my  eyes,  but  it  was  some  moments  before  I 
could  see  that  Raoul  was  bending  over  me,  and  laving  my 
temples  with  water  from  his  boot.  I  muttered  some  half- 
coherent  inquiries. 

"  It  was  a  coup  d'falair,  captain,"  said  Raoul. 

Good  heavens  !  We  had  been  struck  by  lightning  I  Raoul, 
being  in  the  advance,  had  escaped. 

The  Frenchman  soon  left  me  and  went  to  Clayley,  who, 
with  Chane  and  the  hunter,  lay  close  by — all  three,  as  I 
thought,  dead.  They  were  pale  as  corpses,  with  here  and 
there  a  spot  of  purple,  or  a  livid  line  traced  over  their  skins, 
while  their  lips  presented  the  whitish,  bloodless  hue  of  death. 

"  Are  they  dead  ?  "  I  asked  feebly. 

"  I  think  not — we  shall  see  ;  "  and  the  Frenchman  poured 
same  water  into  Clayley's  mouth. 

The  latter  sighed  heavily,  and  appeared  to  revive. 

Raoul  passed  on  to  the  hunter,  who,  as  soon  as  he  felt  the 
water,  started  to  his  feet,  and,  clutching  his  comrade  fiercely 
by  the  throat,  exclaimed  : 

"  Yur  cussed  catamount !  yer  wud  hang  me,  wud  yur  \  " 


308  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

Seeing  who  it  was,  he  stopped  suddenly,  and  looked 
found  with  an  air  of  extreme  bewilderment.  His  eye  now 
fell  upon  the  rifle,  and,  all  at  once  seeming  to  recollect  him 
self,  he  staggered  towards  it  and  picked  it  up.  Then,  as  if 
by  instinct,  he  passed  his  hand  into  his  pouch  and  coolly 
commenced  loading. 

While  Raoul  was  busy  with  Clayley  and  the  Irishman,  I 
had  risen  to  my  feet  and  looked  back  over  the  prairie.  The 
rain  was  falling  in  torrents,  and  the  lightning  still  flashed  at 
intervals.  At  the  distance  of  fifty  paces  a  black  mass  was 
lying  upon  the  ground  motionless — a  mass  of  men  and  horses, 
mingled  together  as  they  had  fallen  in  their  tracks.  Here 
and  there  a  single  horse  and  his  rider  lay  prostrate  together. 
Beyond  these,  twenty  or  thirty  horsemen  were  galloping  in 
circles  over  the  plain,  and  vainly  endeavoring  to  head  their 
frightened  steeds  towards  the  point  where  we  were.  These, 
like  Raoul,  had  escaped  the  stroke. 

"  Come !  "  cried  the  Frenchman,  who  had  now  resuscitated 
Clayley  and  Chane  ;  "  we  have  not  a  moment  to  lose.  The 
mustangs  will  get  over  their  fright,  and  these  fellows  will  be 
down  upon  us." 

His  advice  was  instantly  followed,  and  before  the  gueril- 
leros  could  manage  their  scared  horses  we  had  entered  the 
thicket,  and  were  crawling  along  under  the  wet  leaves. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 


A  BRIDGE  OF  MONKEYS. 


An  Araguato. 


AOUL  thought 
that  their  su- 
perstition 
might  prevent 
the  enemy  from  pursuing 
us  farther.  They  would 
consider  the  lightning  as 
an  interference  from 
above — a  stroke  of  the 
brezos  de  Dios.  But  we 
had  little  confidence  in 
this,  and  notwithstanding 
our  exhaustion,  toiled  on  through  the  chapparal.  Wearied 
with  over-exertion,  half  famished — for  we  had  only  com 
menced  eating  when  roused  from  our  repast  in  the  morning — 
wet  to  the  skin,  cut  by  the  bushes,  and  bitten  by  the 
poisoned  teeth  of  the  bloodhounds — blinded,  and  bruised, 
and  bleeding,  we  were  in  but  poor  traveling  condition. 

Even  Lincoln,  whose  buoyancy  had  hitherto  borne  up, 
appeared  cowed  and  broken.  For  the  first  mile  or  two  he 
seemed  vexed  at  something  and  "  out  of  sorts,"  stopping 
every  now  and  again,  and  examining  his  rifle  in  a  kind  of  be 
wilderment. 

309 


310  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

Feeling  that  he  was  once  more  "  in  the  timber,"  he  began 
to  come  to  himself. 

'*  Thet  sort  o'  an  enemy's  new  ter  me,"  he  said,  speaking 
to  Raoul.  "  Dog-gone  the  thing  !  it  makes  the  airth  look 
yeller !  " 

"You'll  see  better  by-and-by,"  replied  his  comrade. 
.  "  I  had  need  ter  Rowl,  or  I'll  butt  my  brainpan  again  one  of 
these  hyur  saplin's.     Wagh  !  I  cudn't  sight  a  b'ar,  if  we  were 
to  scare  him  up  jest  now." 

About  five  miles  farther  on  we  reached  a  small  stream. 
The  storm  had  abated,  but  the  stream  was  swollen  with  the 
rain,  and  we  could  not  cross  it.  We  were  now  a  safe  distance 
from  our  pursuers — at  least  we  thought  so — and  we  resolved 
to  "  pitch  our  camp  "  upon  the  bank. 

This  was  a  simple  operation,  and  consisted  in  pitching 
ourselves  to  the  ground  under  the  shade  of  a  spreading 
tree. 

Raoul,  who  was  a  tireless  spirit,  kindled  a  fire,  and  com 
menced  knocking  down  the  nuts  of  the  corozo  palm,  that 
hung  in  clusters  over  our  heads.  We  dried  our  wet  gar 
ments,  and  Lincoln  set  about  dressingour  numerous  wounds. 
In  this  surgical  process  our  shirts  suffered  severely  ;  but 
the  skill  of  the  hunter  soothed  our  swelling  limbs,  and 
after  a  frugal  dinner  upon  palm-nuts  and  pitahayas  we 
stretched  ourselves  along  the  greensward,  and  were  soon 
asleep. 

I  was  in  that  dreamy  state,  half  sleeping,  half  waking, 
when  I  was  roused  by  a  strange  noise  that  sounded  like  a 
multitude  of  voices — the  voices  of  children.  Raising  my 
head,  I  perceived  the  hunter  in  an  attitude  of  listening. 

"  What  is  it,  Bob  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Dod  rot  me  if  I  kin  tell,  cap'n  !  Hyur,  Rowl  !  what's 
all  this  hyur  channerin'  ?  " 

"  It's  the  araguatoes"  muttered  the  Frenchman,  half 
asleep. 


A   BRIDGE   OF   MONKEYS.  311 

"  Harry-gwaters  !  an'  what  i'  the  name  o'  Nick's  them-? 
Talk  plain  lingo,  Rowl.  What  are  they  ? " 

"  Monkeys,  then,"  replied  the  latter,  waking  up,  and 
laughing  at  his  companion. 

"  Thar's  a  good  grist  on  'em,  then,  I  reckin,"  said  Lin 
coln,  throwing  himself  back  unconcernedly. 

*'  They  are  coming  towards  the  stream.  They  will  most 
likely  cross  by  the  rocks  yonder,"  observed  Raoul. 

"  How  ?— swim  it  ?  "  I  asked.     "  It  is  a  torrent  there." 

"  Oh  no  !  "  answered  the  Frenchman  ;  "  monkeys  would 
rather  go  into  fire  than  water.  If  they  cannot  leap  the 
stream  they'll  bridge  it." 

"  Bridge  it  !  and  how  ?  " 

"  Stop  a  moment,  captain  ;  you  shall  see." 

The  half-human  voices  now  sounded  nearer,  and  we  could 
perceive  that  the  animals  were  approaching  the  spot  where 
we  lay.  Presently  they  appeared  upon  the  opposite  bank, 
headed  by  an  old  gray-bearded  chieftain,  and  officered  like  a 
regiment  of  soldiers. 

They  were,  as  Raoul  had  stated,  the  araguatoes  (simia 
ursind)  of  the  tribe  of  " alouattes"  or  "howlers"  They 
were  of  that  species  known  as  "  monos  colorados  "  (red  mon 
keys).  They  were  about  the  size  of  foxhounds,  though  there 
was  a  difference  in  this  respect  between  the  males  and  fe 
males.  Many  of  the  latter  were  mothers,  and  carried  their 
human-like  infants  upon  their  shoulders  as  they  marched 
along,  or,  squatted  upon  their  hams,  tenderly  caressed  them, 
fondling  and  pressing  them  against  their  mamma.  Both 
males  and  females  were  of  a  tawny-red  or  lion-color  ;  both 
had  long  beards,  and  the  hair  upon  their  bodies  was  coarse 
and  shaggy.  Their  tails  were,  each  of  them,  three  feet  in 
length  ;  and  the  absence  of  hair  on  the  underside  of  these, 
with  the  hard,  callous  appearance  of  the  cuticle,  showed  that 
these  appendages  were  extremely  prehensible.  In  fact,  this 
was  apparent  from  the  manner  in  which  the  young  "  held 


312  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

on  "  to  their  mothers  ;  for  they  appeared  to  retain  their  dif 
ficult  seats  as  much  by  the  grasp  of  their  tails  as  by  their 
arms  and  hands. 

On  reaching  the  bank  of  the  "  arroyo  "  the  whole  troop 
came  to  a  sudden  halt.  One — an  aide-de-camp,  or  chief 
pioneer,  perhaps — ran  forward  upon  a  projecting  rock  ;  and, 
after  looking  across  the  stream,  as  if  calculating  its  width, 
and  then  carefully  examining  the  trees  overhead,  he  scam 
pered  back  to  the  troop,  and  appeared  to  communicate  with 
the  leader.  The  latter  uttered  a  cry — evidently  a  command 
~— which  was  answered  by  many  individuals  in  the  band,  and 
these  instantly  made  their  appearance  in  front,  and,  running 
forward  upon  the  bank  of  the  stream,  collected  around  the 
trunk  of  a  tall  cotton-wood  that  grew  over  the  narrowest 
part  of  the  arroyo.  After  uttering  a  chorus  of  discordant 
cries,  twenty  or  thirty  of  them  were  seen  to  scamper  up  the 
trunk  of  the  cotton-wood.  On  reaching  a  high  point,  tne 
foremost — a  strong  fellow — ran  out  upon  a  limb,  and,  taking 
several  turns  of  his  tail  around  it,  slipped  off,  and  hung  head 
downwards.  The  next  on  the  limb — also  a  stout  one — 
climbed  down  the  body  of  the  first,  and,  whipping  his  tail 
tightly  around  the  neck  and  fore-arm  of  the  latter  dropped 
off  in  his  turn,  and  hung  head  down.  The  third  repeated 
this  maneuver  upon  the  second,  and  the  fourth  upon  the 
third,  and  so  on,  until  the  last  one  upon  the  string  rested 
his  fore-paws  upon  the  ground. 

The  living  chain  now  commenced  swinging  backwards  and 
forwards,  like  the  pendulum  of  a  clock.  The  motion  was 
slight  at  first,  but  gradually  increased,  the  lowermost  mon 
key  striking  his  hands  violently  on  the  earth  as  he  passed 
the  tangent  of  the  oscillating  curve.  Several  others  upon 
the  limbs  above  aided  the  movement.  The  absence  of 
branches  upon  the  lower  part  of  the  tree,  which  we  have  said 
was  a  cotton-wood  (populus  angulate},  enabled  them  to  exe 
cute  this  movement  freely. 


A   BRIDGE   OF   MONKEYS.  313 

The  oscillation  continued  to  increase  until  the  monkey  at 
the  end  of  the  chain  was  thrown  among  the  branches  of  a 
tree  on  the  opposite  bank.  Here,  after  two  or  three  vibra 
tions,  he  clutched  a  limb  and  held  fast.  This  movement 
was  executed  adroitly,  just  at  the  culminating  point  of  the 
"  swing,"  in  order  to  save  the  intermediate  links  from  the 
violence  of  a  too  sudden  jerk. 

The  chain  was  now  fast  at  both  ends,  forming  a  complete 
suspension-bridge,  over  which  the  whole  troop,  to  the  num 
ber  of  four  or  five  hundred,  passed  with  the  rapidity  of 
thought. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  comical  sights  I  ever  beheld,  to 
witness  the  quizzical  expression  of  countenances  along  that 
living  chain.  To  see  the  mothers,  too,  making  the  passage, 
with  their  tiny  infants  clinging  to  their  backs,  was  a  sight  at 
once  comical  and  curious. 

The  monkeys  that  formed  the  chain  kept  up  an  incessant 
talking,  and,  as  we  fancied,  laughing,  and  frequently  they 
would  bite  at  the  legs  of  the  individuals  passing  over,  as  if 
to  hurry  them  on  ! 

The  troop  was  soon  on  the  other  side  ;  but  how  were  the 
animals  forming  the  bridge  to  get  themselves  over  ?  This 
was  the  question  that  suggested  itself.  Manifestly,  thought 
we,  by  number  one  letting  go  his  tail.  But  then  the  point 
d'afipui  on  the  other  side  was  much  lower  down,  and  number 
one,  with  half  a  dozen  of  his  neighbors,  would  be  dashed 
against  the  opposite  bank,  or  soused  into  the  water. 

Here,  then,  was  a  problem,  and  we  waited  with  some 
curiosity  for  its  solution. 

It  was  soon  solved.  A  monkey  was  now  seen  attaching 
his  tail  to  the  lowest  on  the  bridge  ;  another  girdled  him  in 
a  similar  manner,  and  another,  and  so  on  until  a  dozen  more 
were  added  to  the  string.  These  last  were  all  powerful  fel 
lows  ;  and,  running  up  to  a  high  limb,  they  lifted  the  bridge 
into  a  position  almost  horizontal. 


314  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

Then  a  scream  from  the  last  monkey  of  the  new  formation 
warned  the  tail end 'that  all  was  ready  ;  and  the  next  moment 
the  whole  chain  was  swung  over,  and  landed  safely  on  the 
opposite  bank  ! 

The  lowermost  links  now  dropped  off  to  the  ground,  while 
the  higher  ones  leaped  to  the  branches  and  came  down  by 
the  trunk.  The  whole  troop  then  scampered  off  into  the 
chapparal  and  disappeared. 

"  Aw,  be  the  powers  of  Moll  Kelly  !  iv  thim  little  cray- 
teurs  hasn't  more  sinse  than  the  humans  av  these  parts  - 
It's  a  quare  counthry,  anyhow.  Be  me  sowl !  it  bates  Bana- 
gher  intirely  !  " 

A  general  laugh  followed  the  Irishman's  remarks  ;  and 
we  all  sprang  to  our  feet,  refreshed  by  our  sleep,  and  lighter 
in  spirits. 

The  storm  had  disappeared,  and  the  sun,  now  setting, 
gleamed  in  upon  us  through  the  broad  leaves  of  the  palms. 
The  birds  were  abroad  once  more — brilliant  creatures — 
uttering  their  sweet  songs.  Parrots,  and  trogons,  and 
tanagers  flashed  around  our  heads ;  and  the  great-billed 
and  silly-looking  toucans  sat  silent  in  the  branches  above. 

The  stream  had  become  fordable,  and  leaving  our  "  lair," 
we  crossed  over,  and  struck  into  the  woods  on  the  opposite 
side. 


Taking  Solid  Comfort    Smoking  Out  the  Mosquitos. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

THE  JARACHOS. 

E  headed  towards  the  National  Bridge. 
Raoul  had  a  friend  half-way  on  the 
route — an  old  comrade  upon  whom 
he  could  depend.  His  rancho  was  in 
a  secluded  spot,  near  the  road  that 
leads  to  the  rinconada  of  San  Martin. 
We  should  find  refreshment  there  ; 
and,  if  not  a  bed,  "  at  least,"  said 
Raoul,  "  a  roof  and  a  petatd  "  We 
should  not  be  likely  to  meet  anyone, 

as  it  was  ten  miles  off,  and   it  would  be  late   when   we 

reached  it. 

It  was  late — near   midnight — when  we  dropped  in  upon 

the  contrabandista,  for  such  was  the  friend  of  Raoul  ;  but 

he  and  his  family  were  still  astir,  under  the  light  of  a  very 

dull  wax  candle. 

Hi 


3l6  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS, 

Jose'  Antonio — that  was  his  name — was  a  little  "  sprung  "* 
at  the  five  bareheaded  apparitions  that  burst  so  suddenly 
upon  him ;  but,  recognizing  Raoul,  we  were  cordially 
welcomed. 

Our  host  was  a  spare,  bony  old  fellow,  in  leathern  jacket 
and  calzoneros,  with  a  keen,  shrewd  eye,  that  took  in  our 
situation  at  a  single  glance,  and  saved  the  Frenchman  a 
great  deal  of  explanation.  Notwithstanding  the  cordiality 
with  which  his  friend  received  him,  I  noticed  that  Raoul 
seemed  uneasy  about  something  as  he  glanced  around  the 
room  :  for  the  rancho,  a  small  cane  structure,  had  only  one. 

There  were  two  women  stirring  about — the  wife  of  the 
contrabandista,  and  his  daughter,  a  plump,  good-looking 
girl  of  eighteen  or  thereabout. 

"  No  han  cenado^  caballeros  /"  (You  have  not  supped,  gentle 
men  ?),  inquired,  or  rather  affirmed,  Jose  Antonio,  for  our 
looks  had  answered  the  question  before  it  was  asked. 

"  Ni  comino — nialmorzado"  (Nor  dined — nor  breakfast,) 
replied  Raoul  with  a  grin. 

"  Carambo  !  Rafaela  !  Jesusita  /  "  shouted  our  host,  with  a 
sign,  such  as,  among  the  Mexicans,  often  conveys  a  whole 
chapter  of  intelligence.  The  effect  was  magical.  It  sent 
Jesusita  (Little  Jesus)  to  her  knees  before  the  tortilla-stones  ; 
and  Rafaela,  Josh's  wife,  seized  a  string  of  tassajo,  and 
plunged  it  into  the  olla.  Then  the  little  palm-leaf  fan  was 
handled,  and  the  charcoal  blazed  and  crackled,  and  the 
beef  boiled,  and  the  black  beans  simmered,  and  the  choco 
late  frothed  up,  and  we  all  felt  happy  under  the  prospect 
of  a  savory  supper. 

I  had  noticed  that,  notwithstanding  all  this,  Raoul  seemed 
uneasy.  In  the  corner  I  discovered  the  cause  of  his  soli 
citude,  in  the  shape  of  a  small  spare  man,  wearing  the 
shovel-hat  and  black  capote  of  a  priest.  I  knew  that  my 
comrade  was  not  partial  to  priests,  and  that  he  would  sooner 
have  trusted  Satan  himself  than  one  of  the  tribe  ;  and  I  at- 


THE   JARACHOS. 

tributed  his  uneasiness  to  this  natural  dislike  for  the  clerica* 
fraternity. 

"Who  is  he,  Antone?"  I  heard  him  whisper  to  the  con- 
trabandista. 

"  The  cure  of  San  Martin,"  was  the  reply. 

"  He  is  new,  then  ?  "  said  Raoul. 

"  Hombre  de  bien  "  (a  good  man),  answered  the  Mexican, 
nodding  as  he  spoke. 

Raoul  seemed  satisfied  and  remained  silent. 

I  could  not  help  noticing  the  "  hombre  de  bien  "  myself  ; 
and  no  more  could  I  help  fancying,  after  a  short  observation, 
that  the  rancho  was  indebted  for  the  honor  of  his  presence 
more  to  the  black  eyes  of  Jesusita  than  to  any  zeal  on  his 
part  regarding  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  contrabandista  or 
his  family. 

There  was  a  villainous  expression  upon  his  lips  as  he  watched 
the  girl  moving  over  the  floor  ;  and  once  or  twice  I  caught 
him  scowling  upon  Chane,  who,  in  his  usual  Irish  way,  was 
"blarneying"  with  Jesusita,  and  helping  her  to  fan  the 
charcoal. 

"  Where's  the  padre  ?  "  whispered  Raoul  to  our  host. 

"  He  was  in  the  rinconada  this  morning." 

"  In  the  rinconada  !  "  exclaimed  the  Frenchman,  starting. 

"  They're  gone  down  to  the  Bridge.  The  band  has  had  a 
fandango  with  your  people  and  lost  some  men.  They  say 
they  have  killed  a  good  many  stragglers  along  the  road." 

"So  he  was  in  the  rinconada,  you  say?  and  this  morning, 
too  ? "  inquired  Raoul,  in  a  half-soliloquy,  and  without 
heeding  the  last  remarks  of  the  contrabandista. 

"We've  got  to  look  sharp,  then,"  he  added,  after  a  pause. 

"  There's  no  danger,"  replied  the  other,  "  if  you  keep 
from  the  road.  Your  people  have  already  reached  El  Plan, 
and  are  preparing  to  attack  the  Pass  of  the  Cerro.  'El 
CojoJ  they  say,  has  twenty  thousand  men  to  defend  it." 

During  this  dialogue,  which  was  carried  on  in  whispers, 


318  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  had  noticed  the  little  padre  shifting  about  uneasily  on  his 
seat.  At  its  conclusion  he  rose  up,  and,  bidding  our  host 
"  buenas  noches"  was  about  to  withdraw,  when  Lincoln,  who 
had  been  quietly  eyeing  him  for  some  time  with  that  sharp, 
searching  look  peculiar  to  men  of  his  kidney,  jumped  up,  and, 
placing  himself  before  the  door,  exclaimed  in  a  drawling,  em 
phatic  tone  : 

"  No,  yer  don't  /" 

"  Qut  cosa?"  (What's  the  matter?),  asked  the  padre 
indignantly. 

"  Kay  or  no  kay — cosser  or  no  cosser — yer  don't  go  out 
o*  hyur  afore  we  do.  Rowl,  ax  yur  friend  for  a  piece  o* 
twine,  will  yer  ?  " 

The  padre  appealed  to  our  host,  and  he  in  turn  appealed 
to  Raoul.  The  Mexican  was  in  a  dilemma.  He  dared  not 
offend  the  cure*,  and  on  the  other  hand  he  did  not  wish  to 
dictate  to  his  old  comrade  Raoul.  Moreover,  the  fierce 
hunter,  who  stood  like  a  huge  giant  in  the  door,  had  a  voice 
in  the  matter  ;  and  therefore  Josd  Antonio  had  three  minds 
to  consult  at  one  time. 

"  It  ain't  Bob  Linkin  id  infringe  the  rules  of  hospitality," 
said  the  hunter  ;  "  but  this  hyur's  a  peculiar  case,  an'  I 
don't  like  the  look  of  that  'ar  priest,  nohow  yer  kin  fix  it." 

Raoul,  however,  sided  with  the  contrabandista,  and  ex 
plained  to  Lincoln  that  the  padre  was  the  peaceable  cure*  of 
the  neighboring  village,  and  the  friend  of  Don  Antonio ; 
and  the  hunter,  seeing  that  I  did  not  interpose — for  at  the 
moment  I  was  in  one  of  those  moods  of  abstraction,  and 
scarcely  noticed  what  was  going  on — permitted  the  priest 
to  pass  out.  I  was  recalled  to  myself  more  by  some  peculiar 
expressions  which  I  heard  Lincoln  muttering  after  it  was 
over  than  by  the  incidents  of  the  scene  itself. 

The  occurrence  had  rendered  us  all  somewhat  uneasy  ;  and 
we  resolved  upon  swallowing  our  supper  hastily,  and,  after 
pushing  forward  some  distance,  to  sleep  in  the  woods. 


THE   JARACHOS.  319 

The  tortillas  were  by  this  time  ready,  and  the  pretty 
Jesusita  was  pouring  out  the  chocolate ;  so  we  set  to  work 
\ike  men  who  had  appetites. 

The  supper  was  soon  despatched,  but  our  host  had  some 
puros  in  the  house — a  luxury  we  had  not  enjoyed  lately ; 
and  hating  to  hurry  away  from  such  comfortable  quarters, 
we  determined  to  stay  and  take  a  smoke. 

We  had  hardly  lit  our  cigars  when  Jesusita,  who  had  gone 
to  the  door,  came  hastily  back,  exclaiming : 

"  Papa— papa  I  hay  gerite  fuera  !  "  (Papa,  there  are  people 
outside  !) 

As  we  sprang  to  our  feet  several  shadows  appeared  through 
the  open  walls.  Lincoln  seized  his  rifle  and  ran  to  the  door. 
The  next  moment  he  rushed  back,  shouting  out : 

"  By  thunder  !  I  told  you  so  !  "  And,  dashing  his  huge 
body  against  the  back  of  the  rancho,  he  broke  through  the 
cane  pickets  with  a  crash. 

We  were  hastening  to  follow  him  when  the  frail  structure 
gave  way  ;  and  we  found  ourselves  buried,  along  with  our 
host  and  his  women,  under  a  heavy  thatch  of  saplings  and 
palm-leaves. 

We  heard  the  crack  of  our  comrade's  rifle  without — the 
scream  of  a  victim — the  reports  of  pistols  and  escopettes — • 
the  yelling  of  savage  men  ;  and  then  the  roof  was  raised  again, 
and  we  were  pulled  out  and  dragged  down  among  the  trees, 
and  tied  to  their  trunks  and  taunted  and  goaded,  and  kicked 
and  cuffed,  by  the  most  villainous-looking  set  of  despera 
does  it  has  ever  been  my  misfortune  to  fall  among.  They 
seemed  to  take  delight  in  abusing  us — yelling  all  the  while 
like  so  many  demons  let  loose  from  the  prison  of  "  los 
infiernos" 

Our  late  acquaintance — the  cure* — was  among  them  ; 
and  it  was  plain  that  he  had  brought  the  party  on  us.  His 
"  reverence  "  looked  high  and  low  for  Lincoln  ;  but,  to  his 
great  mortification,  the  hunter  had  escaped. 


How  the  Spanish  Civilized  America.    From  an  old  Spanish  Engraving. 


CHAPTER  L. 

PADRE   JARAUTA. 

E  were  not  long  in  learning  into  whose  hands 
we   had  fallen  ;  for  the  name  "  Jarauta  "  was 
on  every    tongue.       They   were  the   dreaded 
"Sarochos"  of  the  bandit  priest. 
"  We're  in  for  it  now,"  said  Raoul,   deeply 
mortified  at  the  part  he  had  taken   in  the  affair 
with  the  cure*.     "  It's  a  wonder  they  have  kept  us 
so  long.     Perhaps  he's  not  here  himself,  and  they're 
waiting  for  him." 

As  Raoul  said  this  the  clatter  of  hoofs  sounded  along  the 
narrow  road  ;  and  a   horseman  came  galloping  up   to   the 
rancho,  riding  over  everything  and  everybody  with  a  perfect 
recklessness. 
320 


PADRE   JARAUTA.  32 1 

"  That's  Jarauta,"  whispered  Raoul.  "  If  he  sees  me— 
but  it  don't  matter  much,"  he  added,  in  a  lower  tone  :  "we'll 
have  a  quick  shrift  all  the  same  :  he  can't  more  than  hang— 
and  that  he'll  be  sure  to  do." 

"  Where  are  these  Yankees  ?  "  cried  Jarauta,  leaping  out 
of  his  saddle. 

"  Here,  captain,"  answered  one  of  the  Jarochos,  a  hideous- 
looking  griffe,  dressed  in  a  scarlet  uniform,  and  apparently 
the  lieutenant  of  the  band. 

"  How  many  ?  " 

"  Four,  captain." 

"  Very  well — what  are  you  waiting  for  ? " 

"  To  know  whether  I  shall  hang  or  shoot  them." 

"  Shoot  them,  by  all  means!  Carambo!  we  have  no  time 
for  neck-stretching  !  " 

"  There  are  some  nice  trees  here,  captain,"  suggested 
another  of  the  band,  with  as  much  coolness  as  if  he  had 
been  conversing  about  the  hanging  of  so  many  dogs.  He 
wished — a  curiosity  not  uncommon — to  witness  the  spectacle 
of  hanging. 

"  Madre  de  Dios  /  stupid  !  I  tell  you  we  haven't  time  for 
such  silly  sport.  Out  with  you  there  !  Sanchez  !  Gabriel ! 
Carlos !  send  your  bullets  through  their  Saxon  skulls !  Quick ! " 

Several  of  the  Jarochos  commenced  unslinging  their  car 
bines,  while  those  who  guarded  us  fell  back,  to  be  out  of 
range  of  the  lead. 

"  Come,"  exclaimed  Raoul,  "  it  can't  be  worse  than  this — 
we  can  only  die ;  and  I'll  let  the  padre  know  whom  he  has 
got  before  I  take  leave  of  him.  I'll  give  him  a  souvenir  that 
won't  make  him  sleep  any  sounder  to-night.  Oyez,  Padre 
Jarauta  I  "  continued  he,  calling  out  in  a  tone  of  irony ; 
"  have  you  found  Marguerita  yet  ? " 

We  could  see  between  us  and  the  dim  rushlight  that  the 
Jarocho  started,  as  if  a  shot  had  passed  through  his  heart. 

"  Hold  I "  he  shouted  to  the  men,  who  were  about  taking 

JU 


322  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

aim  ;  <*  drag  those  scoundrels  hither  !  A  light  there ! — fite 
the  thatch!  Vaya!" 

In  a  moment  the  hut  of  the  contrabandista  was  in  flames, 
the  dry  palm-leaves  blazing  up  like  flax. 

"  Merciful  Heaven  !  they  are  going  to  roast  us!  " 

With  this  horrible,  apprehension,  we  were  dragged  up 
towards  the  burning  pile,  close  to  which  stood  our  fierce 
judge  and  executioner. 

The  bamboos  blazed  and  crackled,  and  under  their  red 
glare  we  could  now  see  our  captors  with  a  terrible  distinct 
ness.  A  more  demon-like  set,  I  think,  could  not  have  been 
found  anywhere  out  of  the  infernal  regions. 

Most  of  them  were  zamboes  and  mestizoes,  and  not  a  few 
pure  Africans  of  the  blackest  hue,  maroons  from  Cuba  and 
the  Antilles,  many  of  them  with  their  fronts  and  cheeks 
tattooed,  adding  to  the  natural  ferocity  of  their  features. 
Their  coarse  woolly  hair  sticking  out  in  matted  tufts,  their 
white  teeth  set  in  savage  grins,  their  strange  armor  and 
grotesque  attitudes,  their  wild  and  picturesque  attire,  formed 
a  coup  */'tf?z7that  might  have  pleased  a  painter  in  his  studio, 
but  which  at  the  time  had  no  charm  for  us. 

There  were  Pintoes  among  them,  too — spotted  men  from 
the  tangled  forests  of  Acapulco — pied  and  speckled  with 
blotches  of  red,  and  black,  and  white,  like  hounds  and 
horses.  They  were  the  first  of  this  race  I  had  ever  seen, 
and  their  unnatural  complexions,  even  at  that  fearful  mo 
ment,  impressed  me  with  feelings  of  disgust  and  loathing. 

A  single  glance  at  this  motley  crew  would  have  con 
vinced  us,  had  we  not  been  quite  sure  of  it  already,  that  we 
had  no  favor  to  expect.  There  was  not  a  countenance 
among  them  that  exhibited  the  slightest  trait  of  grace  or 
mercy.  No  such  expression  could  be  seen  around  us,  and 
we  felt  satisfied  that  our  time  had  come. 

The  appearance  of  their  leader  did  not  shake  this  con 
viction.  Revenge  and  hatred  were  playing  upon  his  sharw 


PADRE  JARAUTA.  323 

sallow  features,  and  his  thin  lips  quivered  with  an  expression 
of  malice,  plainly  habitual.  His  nose,  like  a  parrot's  beak,  had 
been  broken  by  a  blow,  which  added  to  its  sinister  shape; 
and  his  small  black  eyes  twinkled  with  metallic  brightness. 

He  wore  a  purplish-colored  manga,  that  covered  his 
whole  body,  and  his  feet  were  cased  in  the  red  leather  boots 
of  the  country,  with  heavy  silver  spurs  strapped  over  them. 
A  black  sombrero,  with  its  band  of  gold  bullion  and  tags  of 
tne  same  material,  completed  the  tout  ensemble  of  his  costume. 
He  wore  neither  beard  nor  mustache ;  but  his  hair,  black 
and  snaky,  hung  down  trailing  over  the  velvet  embroidery 
of  his  manga. 

Such  was  the  Padre  Jarauta. 

Raoul's  face  was  before  him,  upon  which  he  looked  for 
some  moments  without  speaking.  His  features  twitched  as 
if  under  galvanic  action,  and  we  could  see  that  his  fingers 
jerked  in  a  similar  manner. 

They  were  painful  memories  that  could  produce  this 
effect  upon  a  heart  of  such  iron  devilry,  and  Raoul  alone 
knew  them.  The  latter  seemed  to  enjoy  the  interlude  ;  for 
he  lay  upon  the  ground,  looking  up  at  the  Jarocho  with  a 
smile  of  triumph  upon  his  reckless  features. 

We  were  expecting  the  next  speech  of  the  padre  to  be  an 
order  for  flinging  us  into  the  fire,  which  now  burned  fiercely. 
Fortunately,  this  fancy  did  not  seem  to  strike  him  just  then. 

"  Ha,  monsieur  !"  -exclaimed  he  at  length,  approaching 
Raoul.  "  I  dreamt  that  you  and  I  would  meet  again  ;  I 
dreamt  it — ha !  ha  !  ha  ! — it  was  a  pleasant  dream,  but  not 
half  so  pleasant  as  the  reality — ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  Don't  jjw  think 
so  ? "  he  added,  striking  our  comrade  over  the  face  with  a 
mule  quirt.  "  Don't  you  think  so  ? "  he  repeated,  lashing  him 
as  before,  while  his  eyes  sparkled  with  a  fiendish  malignity. 

"  Did  you  dream  of  meeting  Marguerita  again  ?"  inquired 
Raoul,  with  a  satirical  laugh,  that  sounded  strange,  even 
fearful,  under  the  circumstances. 


324  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  shall  never  forget  the  expression  of  the  Jarocho  at  that 
moment.  His  sallow  face  turned  black,  his  lips  white,  his 
eyes  burned  like  a  demon's,  and,  springing  forward  with  a 
fierce  oath,  he  planted  his  iron-shod  heel  upon  the  face  of 
our  comrade.  The  skin  peeled  off,  and  the  blood  followed. 

There  was  something  so  cowardly — so  redolent  of  a  brutal 
ferocity — in  the  act,  that  I  could  not  remain  quiet.  With  a 
desperate  wrench  I  freed  my  hands,  skinning  my  wrists  in 
the  effort,  and,  flinging  myself  upon  him,  I  clutched  at  the 
monster's  throat. 

He  stepped  back ;  my  ankles  were  tied,  and  I  fell  upon 
my  face  at  his  feet. 

"  Ho  !  ho  !  "  cried  he,  "  what  have  we  here  ?  An  officer, 
eh?  Come!"  he  continued,  "rise  up  from  your  prayers 
and  let  me  look  at  you.  Ha  !  a  captain  ?  And  this  ? — a 
lieutenant !  Gentlemen,  you're  too  dainty  to  be  shot  like 
common  dogs  ;  we'll  not  let  the  wolves  have  you ;  we'll  put 
you  out  of  their  reach  ;  ha  !  ha !  ha  !  Out  of  reach  of 
wolves,  do  you  hear  ?  And  what's  this  ?  continued  he,  turn 
ing  to  Chane  and  examining  his  shoulders.  "  Bah  !  sol- 
dado  raso — Irlandes,  carajo  /  "  (A  common  soldier — an 
Irishman,  too !)  "What  do  you  do  fighting  among  these 
heretics  against  your  own  religion  ?  There,  renegade  ! " 
and  he  kicked  the  Irishman  in  the  ribs. 

"  Thank  yer  honner  !  "  said  Chane,  with  a  grunt,  "  small 
fayvors  thankfully  received  ;  much  good  may  it  do  yer 
honner?  " 

"  Here,  Lopez  !  "  shouted  the  brigand. 

"  Now  for  the  fire  !  "  thought  we. 

"  Lopez,  I  say !  "  continued  he,  calling  louder. 

"  Aca,  aca !  "  answered  a  voice,  and  the  griffe  who  had 
guarded  us  came  up,  swinging  his  scarlet  manga. 

"  Lopez,  these  I  perceive  are  gentlemen  of  rank,  and  we 
must  usher  them  into  Hades  a  little  more  gracefully,  do  you 
hear?" 


PADRE   JARAUTA.  325 

"Yes,  captain,"  answered  the  other,  with  stoical  com 
posure. 

"  Over  the  cliffs,  Lopez.  Facilis  descensus  Averni — but 
you  don't  understand  Latin,  Lopez.  Over  the  cliffs,  do 
you  hear?  You  understand  that?  " 

"  Yes,  captain,"  repeated  the  Jarocho,  moving  only  his 
lips. 

"  You  will  have  them  at  the  Eagle's  Cave  by  six  in  the 
morning  ;  by  six,  do  you  hear  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain,"  again  replied  the  subordinate. 

"  And  if  any  of  them  is  missing — is  missing,  do  you  hear  ? " 

"  Yes,  captain." 

"  You  will  take  his  place  in  the  dance — the  dance — ha  1 
ha  !  ha  !  You  understand  that,  Lopez  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain." 

"  Enough  then,  good  Lopez — handsome  Lopez  !  beautiful 
Lopez  ! — enough,  and  good-night  to  you  !  " 

So  saying,  the  Jarocho  drew  his  quirt  several  times  across 
the  red  cheek  of  Raoul,  and  with  a  curse  upon  his  lips  he 
leaped  upon  his  mustang  and  galloped  off. 

Whatever  might  be  the  nature  of  the  punishment  that 
awaited  us  at  the  Eagle's  Cave,  it  was  evident  that  Lopez 
had  no  intention  of  becoming  proxy  in  it  for  any  of  us. 
This  was  plain  from  the  manner  in  which  he  set  about  secur 
ing  us.  We  were  first  gagged  with  bayonet-shanks  and  then 
dragged  out  into  the  bushes. 

Here  we  were  thrown  upon  our  backs,  each  of  us  in  the 
center  of  four  trees  that  formed  a  parallelogram.  Our  arms 
and  legs  were  stretched  to  their  full  extent,  and  tied  severally 
to  the  trees ;  and  thus  we  lay,  spread  out  like  raw  hides  to 
dry.  Our  savage  captors  drew  the  cords  so  taut  that  our 
joints  cracked  under  the  cruel  tension.  In  this  painful  po 
sition,  with  a  Jarocho  standing  over  each  of  us,  we  passed 
the  remainder  of  the  night. 


CHAPTER  LI. 


A   HANG    BY    THE    HEELS. 


T  was  a  long  night 
— the  longest  I 
can  remember 
— a  night  that 
fully  illustrated  the  horror 
of  monotony.  I  can  com 
pare  our  feelings  to  those 
of  one  under  the  influence 
of  the  nightmare.  But,  no 
— worse  than  that.  Our 
savage  sentries  occasion 
ally  sat  down  upon  our 
bodies,  and,  lighting  their  cigarritos,  chatted  gaily  while 
we  groaned.  We  could  not  protest ;  we  were  gagged.  But 
it  would  have  made  little  difference ;  they  would  only  have 
mocked  us  the  more. 

We  lay  glaring  upon  the  moon  as  she  coursed  through  a 
326 


A    HANG    BY   THE    HEELS.  327 

cloudy  heaven.  The  wind  whistled  through  the  leaves,  and 
its  melancholy  moaning  sounded  like  our  death-dirge. 
Several  times  through  the  night  I  heard  the  howl  of  the 
prairie  wolf,  and  I  knew  it  was  Lincoln ;  but  the  Jarochos 
had  pickets  all  around,  and  the  hunter  dared  not  approach 
our  position.  He  could  not  have  helped  us. 

The  morning  broke  at  last ;  and  we  were  taken  up,  tied 
upon  the  backs  of  vicious  mules,  and  hurried  off  through 
the  woods.  We  traveled  for  some  distance  along  a  ridge, 
until  we  had  reached  its  highest  point,  where  the  cliff  beetled 
over.  Here  we  were  unpacked  and  thrown  upon  the  grass. 
About  thirty  of  the  Jarochos  guarded  us,  and  we  now  saw 
them  under  the  broad  light  of  day ;  but  they  did  not  look  a 
whit  more  beautiful  than  they  had  appeared  under  the  glare 
of  the  blazing  rancho  on  the  preceding  night. 

Lopez  was  at  their  head,  and  never  relaxed  his  vigilance 
for  a  moment.  It  was  plain  that  he  considered  the  padre  a 
man  of  his  word. 

After  we  had  remained  about  half  an  hour  on  the  brow  of 
the  cliff,  an  exclamation  from  one  of  the  men  drew  our  at 
tention  ;  and,  looking  round,  we  perceived  a  band  of  horsemen 
straggling  up  the  hill  at  a  slow  gallop.  It  was  Jarauta,  with 
about  fifty  of  his  followers.  They  were  soon  close  up  to  us. 

"  Buenos  dias,  cabalkros  !  "  cried  their  leader,  in  a  mocking 
tone,  leaping  down  and  approaching  us.  "I  hope  you  passed 
the  night  comfortably.  Lopez,  I  am  sure,  provided  you  with 
good  beds.  Didn't  you,  Lopez  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain,"  answered  the  laconic  Lopez. 

"  The  gentlemen  rested  well ;  didn't  they,  Lopez  ?  " 

"Yes,  captain." 

"  No  kicking  or  tumbling  about,  eh  ?  " 

"  No,  captain." 

"  Oh  !  then  they  rested  well ;  it's  a  good  thing :  they  have 
a  long  journey  before  them — haven't  they,  Lopez  ?  " 


328  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Yes,  captain." 

"  I  hope,  gentlemen,  you  are  ready  for  the  road  Do  you 
think  you  are  ready  ?  " 

As  each  of  us  had  the  shank  of  a  bayonet  between  his 
teeth,  besides  being  tied  neck  and  heels,  it  is  not  likely  that 
this  interrogatory  received  a  reply ;  nor  did  his  "  reverence  " 
expect  any,  as  he  continued  putting  similar  questions  in 
quick  succession,  appealing  occasionally  to  his  lieutenant 
for  an  answer.  The  latter,  who  was  of  the  taciturn  school, 
contented  himself,  and  his  superior  too,  with  a  simple  "  yes  " 
or  "  no." 

Up  to  this  moment  we  had  no  knowledge  of  the  fate  that 
awaited  us.  We  knew  we  had  to  die — that  we  knew  ;  but 
in  what  way  we  were  still  ignorant.  I,  for  one,  had  made  up 
my  mind  that  the  padre  intended  pitching  us  over  the  cliffs. 

We  were  at  length  enlightened  upon  this  important  point. 
We  were  not  to  take  that  awful  leap  into  eternity  which  I  had 
been  picturing  to  myself.  A  fate  more  horrible  still  awaited 
us.  We  were  to  be  hanged  over  the  precipice  ! 

As  if  to  aid  the  monster  in  his  inhuman  design,  several 
pine-trees  grew  out  horizontally  from  the  edge  of  the  cliff  ; 
and  over  the  branches  of  these  the  Jarochos  commenced 
reeving  their  long  lazos.  Expert  in  the  handling  of  ropes, 
as  all  Mexicans  are,  they  were  not  long  in  completing  their 
preparations,  and  we  soon  beheld  our  gallows. 

"  According  to  rank,  Lopez,"  cried  Jarauta,  seeing  that  all 
was  ready :  "  the  captain  first — do  you  hear  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain,"  answered  the  imperturbable  brigand  who 
superintended  the  operations. 

"  I  shall  keep  j<w  to  the  last,  monsieur,"  said  the  priest, 
addressing  Raoul :  "  you  will  have  the  pleasure  of  bringing 
up  the  rear  in  your  passage  through  purgatory.  Hal  ha  1 
hai  Won't  he, Lopez?" 

"  Yes,  captain." 


A    HANG   BY   THE    HEELS.  329 

"  Maybe  some  of  you  would  like  a  priest,  gentlemen." 
This  Jarauta  uttered  with  an  ironical  grin  that  was  revolting 
to  behold.  "  If  you  would,"  he  continued,  "  say  so.  I  some 
times  officiate  in  that  capacity  myself.  Don't  I,  Lopez  ?  " 

"Yes,  captain." 

A  diabolical  laugh  burst  from  the  Jarochos,  who  had  dis- 


A  Mexican  Lasso  Braided  with  Strands  of  Rawhide. 

mounted,  and  were  standing  out  upon  the  cliff,  the  better  to 
witness  the  spectacle  of  our  hanging. 

"  Well,  Lopez,  does  any  of  them  say  *  yes  '  ?  " 

"  No,  captain." 

"  Ask  the  Irishman  there ;  ask  him — he  ought  to  be  a 
good  Catholic." 

The  question  was  put  to  Chane,  in  mockery,  of  course, 
for  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  answer  it ;  and  yet  he  did 


330  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

answer  it,  for  his  look  spoke  a  curse  as  plainly  as  if  it  had 
been  uttered  through  a  trumpet.  The  Jarochos  did  not  heed 
that,  but  only  laughed  the  louder. 

"  Well,  Lopez,  what  says  St.  Patrick  ?  *  Yes  '  or  «  no  '  ?  " 

" « No,'  captain." 

And  a  fresh  peal  of  ruffian  laughter  rang  out. 

The  rope  was  how  placed  around  my  neck  in  a  running 
noose.  The  other  end  had  been  passed  over  the  tree,  and 
lay  coiled  near  the  edge  of  the  cliff.  Lopez  held  it  in  his 
hand  a  short  distance  above  the  coil,  in  order  to  direct  its 
movements. 

"  All  ready  there,  Lopez  ?  "  cried  the  leader. 

"  Yes,  captain." 

"  Swing  off  the  captain,  then — no,  not  yet ;  let  him  look 
at  the  floor  on  which  he  is  going  to  dance ;  that  is  but  fair." 

I  had  been  drawn  forward  until  my  feet  projected  over 
the  edge  of  the  precipice,  and  close  to  the  root  of  the  tree. 
I  was  now  forced  into  a  sitting  posture,  so  that  I  might  look 
below,  my  limbs  hanging  over.  Strange  to  say,  I  could  not 
resist  doing  exactly  what  my  tormentor  wished.  Under  other 
circumstances  the  sight  would  have  been  to  me  appalling ; 
but  my  nerves  were  strung  by  the  protracted  agony  I  had 
been  forced  to  endure. 

The  precipice  on  whose  verge  I  sat  formed  a  side  of  one 
of  those  yawning  gulfs  common  in  Spanish  America,  and 
known  by  the  name  barrancas.  It  seemed  as  if  "a  mountain 
had  been  scooped  out  and  carried  away.  Not  two  hundred 
yards  horizontally  distant  was  the  twin  jaw  of  the  chasm, 
like  a  black  burnt  wall ;  yet  the  torrent  that  roared  and 
foamed  between  them  was  full  six  hundred  feet  below  my 
position  1  I  could  have  flung  the  stump  of  a  cigar  upon  the 
water  ;  in  fact,  an  object  dropping  vertically  from  where  I 
sat — for  it  was  a  projecting  point — must  have  fallen  plumb 
into  the  stream. 


A   HANG   BY  THE   HEELS.  331 

It  was  not  unlike  the  canon  where  we  had  tossed  over  the 
dogs  ;  but  it  was  higher,  and  altogether  more  hell-like  anf* 
horrible. 

As  I  looked  down,  several  small  birds,  whose  species  I 
did  not  stay  to  distinguish,  were  screaming  below,  and  an 
eagle  on  his  broad,  bold  wing  came  soaring  over  the  abyss, 
and  flapped  up  to  my  very  face. 

"Well,  captain,"  broke  in  the  sharp  voice  of  Jarauta, 
"  what  do  you  think  of  it  ?  A  nice  soft  floor  to  dance  upon, 
isn't  it,  Lopez  !  " 

"Yes,  captain." 

"  All  ready  there  ?  Stop !  some  music ;  we  must  have 
music  :  how  can  he  dance  without  music  ?  Hola,  Sanchez, 
where's  your  bugle  ?  " 

"  Here,  captain  !  " 

"Strike  up,  then !  Play  *  Yankee  Doodle.'  Ha!  ha! 
ha  !  *  Yankee  Doodle,'  do  you  hear  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain,"  answered  the  man  ;  and  the  next  mo 
ment  the  well-known  strains  of  the  American  national  air 
sounded  upon  my  ear,  producing  a  strange,  sad  feeling  I 
shall  never  forget. 

"  Now,  Lopez  ! "  cried  the  padre. 

I  was  expecting  to  be  swung  out,  when  I  heard  him  again 
shout,  "  Stay  !  "  at  the  same  time  stopping  the  music. 

"  By  heavens !  Lopez,  I  have  a  better  plan,"  he  cried  : 
why  did  I  not  think  of  it  before  ?  It's  not  too  late  yet. 
Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  Carambo  !  They  shall  dance  upon  their 
heads  !  That's  better — isn't  it,  Lopez?  " 

"Yes,  captain." 

A  cheer  from  the  Jarochos  announced  their  approval  of 
this  change  in  the  program. 

The  padre  made  a  sign  to  Lopez,  who  approached  him, 
appearing  to  receive  some  directions. 

I  did  not  at  first  comprehend  the  novelty  that  was  about 
to  be  introduced.  I  was  not  kept  long  in  ignorance.  One 


332  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

of  the  Jarochos,  seizing  me  by  the  collar,  dragged  me  back 
from  the  ledge,  and  transferred  the  noose  from  my  neck  to 
my  ankles.  Horror  heaped  upon  horror  !  I  was  to  be  hung 
head  downwards  ! 

"That  will  be  much  prettier— won't  it,  Lopez?" 

"Yes,  captain." 

"  The  gentleman  will  have  time  to  make  himself  ready 
for  heaven  before  he  dies — won't  he,  Lopez  ?  " 

"Yes  captain." 

"  Take  out  the  gag — let  him  have  his  tongue  free  ;  he'll 
need  that  to  pray  with — won't  he,  Lopez  ? " 

"  Yes,  captain." 

One  of  the  Jarochos  jerked  the  bayonet  roughly  from  my 
mouth,  almost  dislocating  my  jaw.  The  power  of  speech 
was  gone.  1  could  not,  if  I  had  wished  it,  have  uttered  an 
intelligible  word. 

"Give  him  his  hands,  too;  he'll  need  them  to  keep  off  the 
zopilotds ;  won't  he,  Lopez  ?  " 

"Yes,  captain." 

The  thong  that  bound  my  wrists  was  cut,  leaving  my 
hands  free.  I  was  on  my  back,  my  feet  towards  the  preci 
pice.  A  little  to  my  right  stood  Lopez,  holding  the  rope 
that  was  about  to  launch  me  into  eternity. 

"  Now  the  music — take  the  music  for  your  cue,  Lopez ; 
then  jerk  him  up !  "  cried  the  sharp  voice  of  the  fiend. 

I  shut  my  eyes,  waiting  for  the  pull.  It  was  but  a  mo 
ment,  but  it  seemed  a  lifetime.  There  was  a  dead  silence — 
a  stillness  like  that  which  precedes  the  bursting  of  a  rock  or 
the  firing  of  a  jubilee-gun.  Then  I  heard  the  first  note  of 
the  bugle,  and  along  with  it  a  crack — the  crack  of  a  rifle ;  a 
man  staggered  over  me,  besprinkling  my  face  with  blood, 
and,  falling  forward,  disappeared  ! 

Then  came  the  pluck  upon  my  ankles,  and  I  was  jerked 
head  downwards  into  the  empty  air.  I  felt  my  feet  touch 
ing  the  branches  above,  and,  throwing  up  my  arms,  I 


A    HANG    BY   THE    HEELS.  333 

grasped  one,  and  swung  my  body  upwards.  After  two  or 
three  efforts  I  lay  along  the  main  trunk,  which  I  embraced 
with  the  hug  of  despair.  I  looked  downward.  A  man  was 
hanging  below — far  below — at  the  end  of  the  lazo !  It 
was  Lopez.  I  knew  his  scarlet  manga  at  a  glance.  He 
was  hanging  by  the  thigh  in  a  snarl  of  the  rope. 

His  hat  had  fallen  off.  I  could  see  the  red  blood  running 
over  his  face  and  dripping  from  his  long,  snaky  locks.  He 
hung  head  down.  I  could  see  that  he  was  dead ! 

The  hard  thong  was  cutting  my  ankles,  and — oh,  heaven ! 
— under  our  united  weight  the  roots  were  cracking ! 

Appalling  thought !     "  The  tree  will  give  way!  " 

I  held  fast  with  one  arm.  I  drew  forth  my  knife — fortu 
nately  I  still  had  one — with  the  other.  I  opened  the  blade 
with  my  teeth,  and,  stretching  backward  and  downward,  I 
drew  it  across  the  thong.  It  parted  with  a  "  snig,"  and  the 
red  object  left  me  like  a  flash  of  light.  There  was  a  plunge 
upon  the  black  water  below — a  plunge  and  a  few  white 
bubbles  ;  but  the  body  of  the  Jarocho,  with  its  scarlet  trap 
pings,  was  seen  no  more  after  that  plunge. 


CHAPTER  LII. 


A  VERY  SHORT  TRIAL. 


Vulture  or  Mexican  Zopilote. 


URING  all  this  time  shots 
were  ringing  over  me. 
I  could  hear  the  shouts 
and  cheering  of  men,  the 
trampling  of  heavy  hoofs,  and  the 
clashing  of  sabers.  I  knew  that 
some  strange  deliverance  had 
reached  us.  I  knew  that  a  skir 
mish  was  going  on  above  me,  but  I 
could  see  nothing.  I  was  below 
the  level  of  the  cliff. 

I   lay   in    a   terrible    suspense, 
listening.     I  dared  not  change  my 


posture — I  dared  not  move.  The 
weight  of  the  Jarocho's  body  had  hitherto  held  my  feet 
securely  in  the  notch  ;  but  that  was  gone,  and  my  ankles 
were  still  tied.  A  movement  and  my  legs  might  fall  off 
the  limb  and  drag  me  downward.  I  was  faint,  too,  from 
the  protracted  struggle  for  life  and  death,  and  I  hugged  the 
tree  and  held  on  like  a  wounded  squirrel. 

The  shots  seemed  less  frequent,  the  shouts  appeared  t* 
334 


A   VERY   SHORT   TRIAL.  335 

recede  from  the  cliffs.  Then  I  heard  a  cheer — an  Anglo- 
Saxon  cheer — an  American  cheer,  and  the  next  moment  a 
well-known  voice  rang  in  my  ears. 

"  By  the  livin'  catamount,  he's  hyur  yit !  Whooray — 
whoop  !  Niver  say  die  !  Hold  on,  cap'n,  teeth  an'  toenail  ! 
Hyur,  boys !  clutch  on,  a  lot  o'  yer  !  Quick  ! — hook  my 
claws,  Nat !  Now  pull — all  thegether  !— Hooray  !  " 

I  felt  a  strong  hand  grasping  the  collar  of  my  coat,  and 
the  next  moment  I  was  raised  from  my  perch  and  landed 
upon  the  top  of  the  cliff. 

I  looked  around  upon  my  deliverers.  Lincoln  was  danc 
ing  like  a  lunatic,  uttering  his  wild,  half-Indian  yells.  A 
dozen  men,  in  the  dark-green  uniform  of  the  "  mounted 
rifles,"  stood  looking  on  and  laughing  at  this  grotesque  ex 
hibition.  Close  by  another  party  were  guarding  some  pris 
oners,  while  a  hundred  others  were  seen  in  scattered  groups 
along  the  ridge,  returning  from  the  pursuit  of  the  Jarochos, 
whom  they  had  completely  routed. 

I  recognized  Twing,  and  Hennessy,  and  Hillis,  and  sev 
eral  other  officers  whom  I  had  met  before.  We  were  soon 
en  rapport,  and  I  could  not  have  received  a  greater  variety 
of  congratulations  had  it  been  the  hour  after  my  wedding. 

Little  Jack  was  the  guide  of  the  rescue. 

After  a  moment  spent  in  explanation  with  the  major,  I 
turned  to  look  for  Lincoln.  He  was  standing  close  by, 
holding  in  his  hands  a  piece  of  lazo,  which  he  appeared  to 
examine  with  a  strange  and  puzzled  expression.  He  had 
recovered  from  his  burst  of  wild  joy  and  was  "  himself  again." 

"  What's  the  matter,  Bob  ?  "  I  inquired,  noticing  his  be 
wildered  look. 

"Why,  cap'n,  I'm  a  sorter  bamfoozled  yeer.  I  kin 
understan'  well  enuf  how  the  feller  jirked  yer  into  the  tree 
afore  he  let  go.  But  how  did  this  hyur  whang  kum  cut  ? 
An'  whar's  the  other  eend  ? 

I  saw  that  lie  held  in  his  hand  the  noose  of  the  lazo 


336  THE    RIFLE  RANGERS. 

which  he  had  taken  from  my  ankles,  and  I  explained  the 
mystery  of  how  it  had  "  kum  cut/'  This  seemed  to  raise 
me  still  higher  in  the  hunter's  esteem.  Turning  to  one  of 
the  riflemen,  an  old  hunter  like  himself,  he  whispered — I 
overheard  him  : 

"  I'll  tell  yer  what  it  is,  Nat :  he  kin  whip  his  weight  in 
wild-cats  or  grizzly  b'ars  any  day  in  the  year — he  kin,  or  my 
name  ain't  Bob  Linkin." 

Saying  this,  he  stepped  forward  on  the  cliff  and  looked 
over ;  and  then  he  examined  the  tree,  and  then  the  piece  of 
lazo,  and  then  the  tree  again,  and  then  he  commenced 
dropping  pebbles  down,  as  if  he  was  determined  to  measure 
every  object,  and  fix  it  in  his  memory  with  a  proper  dis 
tinctness. 

Twing  and  the  others  had  now  dismounted.  As  I  turned 
towards  them  Clayley  was  taking  a  pull  at  the  major's 
pewter — and  a  good  long  pull,  too.  I  followed  the  lieu 
tenant's  example,  and  felt  the  better  for  it. 

"  But  how  did  you  find  us,  major  ?  " 

"  This  little  soldier,"  said  he,  pointing  to  Jack,  "  brought 
us  to  the  rancho  where  you  were  taken.  From  there  we 
easily  tracked  you  to  a  large  hacienda." 

"  Ha !  you  routed  the  guerilla,  then  ? 

"Routed  the  guerilla!     We  saw  no  guerilla." 

"  What  !  at  the  hacienda  ? " 

"  Peons  and  women  ;  nothing  more.  Yes,  there  was,  too 
— what  am  I  thinking  about  ?  There  was  a  party  there  that 
routed  us !  Thornley  and  Hillis  here  have  both  been 
wounded,  and  are  not  likely  to  recover — poor  fellows  !  M 

I  looked  towards  these  gentlemen  for  an  explanation, 
They  were  both  laughing,  and  I  looked  in  vain. 

"  Hennessy,  too,"  said  the  major,  "  has  got  a  stab  undei 
the  ribs." 

"  Och,  by  my  soul  have  I,  and  no  mistake  !  "  cried  the  latter, 

"Come,  major — an  explanation,  if  you  please." 


A  VERY   SHORT   TRIAL.  337 

I  was  in  no  humor  to  enjoy  this  joke.  I  half  divined  the 
cause  of  their  mirth,  and  it  produced  in  me  an  unaccount 
able  feeling  of  annoyance,  not  to  say  pain. 

"Be  my  faith,  then,  captain/'  said  Hennessy,  speaking  for 
the  major,  "  If  ye  must  know  all  about  it,  I'll  tell  ye  myself. 
We  overhauled  a  pair  of  the  most  elegant  crayteurs  you  ever 
clapp'd  eyes  upon;  and  rich — rich  as  Craysus — wasn't  they, 
boys?" 

"  Oh  !  plenty  of  tin,"  remarked  Hillis. 

"  But,  captain,"  continued  Hennessy,  "  how  they  took  on 
to  your  '  tiger  ! '  I  thought  they  would  have  eaten  the  lit 
tle  chap,  body,  bones,  and  all." 

I  was  chafing  with  impatience  to  know  more,  but  I  saw 
that  nothing  worth  knowing  could  be  had  in  that  quarter.  I 
determined,  therefore,  to  conceal  my  anxiety,  and  find  an 
early  opportunity  to  talk  to  Jack. 

"  But  beyond  the  hacienda  ? "  I  inquired,  changing  the 
subject. 

"We  trailed  you  down  stream  to  the  canon,  where  we 
found  blood  upon  the  rocks.  Here  we  were  at  fault,  when  a 
handsome,  delicate-looking  lad,  known  somehow  or  other  to 
your  Jack,  came  up  and  carried  us  to  the  crossing  above, 
where  the  lad  gave  us  the  slip,  and  we  saw  no  more  of  him. 
We  struck  the  hoofs  again  where  he  left  us,  and  followed  them 
to  a  small  prairie  on  the  edge  of  the  woods,  where  the  ground 
was  strangely  broken  and  trampled.  There  they  had  turned 
back,  and  we  lost  all  trace." 

"  But  how,  then,  did  you  come  here  ?  " 

"  By  accident  altogether.  We  were  striking  to  the  nearest 
point  on  the  National  Road  when  that  tall  sergeant  of  yours 
dropped  down  upon  us  out  of  the  branches  of  a  tree." 

"  Whom  did  you  see,  Jack  ?  "  I  whispered  to  the  boy,  after 
having  drawn  him  aside. 

"  I  saw  them  all,  captain." 

"Well?" 

22 


338  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  They  asked  me  where  you  were,  and  when  I  told 
them " 

«  Well— well  ?" 

"  They  appeared  to  wonder " 

"  Well  ?  " 

"  And  the  young  ladies " 

"  And  the  young  ladies  ?  " 

"  They  ran  round,  and  cried,  and " 

Jack  was  the  dove  that  brought  the  olive-branch. 

"  Did  they  say  where  they  were  going  ? "  I  inquired,  aftei 
one  of  those  sweet  waking  dreams. 

"  Yes,  captain  ;  they  are  going  up  the  country  to  live. 

"  Where  ?— where  ?  " 

"I  could  not  recollect  the  name — it  was  so  strange." 

"Jalapa?  Orizava?  Cordova?  Puebla?  Mexico?" 

"  I  think  it  was  one  of  them,  but  I  cannot  tell  which.  I 
have  forgotten  it,  captain." 

"  Captain  Haller  !  "  called  the  voice  of  the  major  ;  "  here 
a  moment,  if  you  please.  These  are  some  of  the  men  who 
were  going  to  hang  you,  are  they  not  ? " 

Twing  pointed  to  five  of  the  Jarochos  who  had  been  cap 
tured  in  the  skirmish. 

"  Yes,"  replied  I,  ".I  think  so  ;  yet  I  could  not  swear  to 
their  identity." 

"  By  the  crass,  major,  I  can  swear  to  ivery  mother's  son  av 
thim  !  There  isn't  a  scoundhrel  among  thim  but  has  given 
me  rayzon  to  remimber  him,  iv  a  harty  kick  in  the  ribs  might 
be  called  a  rayzon.  O — h  !  ye  ugly  spalpeens  !  kick  me  now, 
will  yez  ? — will  yez  jist  be  plazed  to  trid  upon  the  tail  av  my 
jacket  ? " 

"  Stand  out  here,  my  man,"  said  the  major. 

Chane  stepped  forward,  and  swore  away  the  lives  of  the 
five  Jarochos  in  less  than  as  many  minutes. 

"  Enough ! "  said  the  major,  after  the  Irishman  had 
given  his  testimony.  "Lieutenant  Claiborne,"  continued 


A  VERY   SHORT  TRIAL.  339 

he,  addressing  an  officer  the  youngest  in  rank,  ' '  what  sen 
tence  ? " 

"Hang  !"  replied  the  latter  in  a  solemn  voice. 

"Lieutenant  Hillis?" 

"  Hang !  "  was  the  reply. 

"  Lieutenant  Clayley  ?  " 

"  Hang  !  "  said  Clayley  in  a  quick  and  emphatic  tone. 

"  Captain  Hennessy  ? " 

"  Hang  them  !  "  answered  the  Irishman. 

"Captain  Haller?" 

"Have  you  determined,  Major  Twing?"  I  asked,  in 
tending,  if  possible,  to  mitigate  this  terrible  sentence. 

"  We  have  no  time,  Captain  Haller,"  replied  my  superior, 
interrupting  me,  "  nor  opportunity  to  carry  prisoners.  Our 
army  has  reached  Plan  del  Rio,  and  is  preparing  to  attack 
the  pass.  An  hour  lost,  and  we  may  be  too  late  for  the 
battle.  You  know  the  result  of  that  as  well  as  I." 

I  knew  Twing's  determined  character  too  well  to  offer  fur 
ther  opposition,  and  the  Jarochos  were  condemned  to  be 
hung. 

The  following  extract  from  the  major's  report  of  the  affair 
will  show  how  the  sentence  was  carried  out : 

"We  killed  five  of  them  and  captured  as  many  more,  but 
the  leader  escaped.  The  prisoners  were  tried,  and  sentenced 
to  be  hung.  They  had  a  gallows  already  rigged  for  Captain 
Haller  and  his  companions,  and  for  want  of  a  better  we 
hanged  them  upon  that." 


Indian  Earthenware  and  Ornaments. 


CHAPTER  LIU. 

A  BIRD'S-EYE  VIEW  OF  A  BATTLE 

T  was  still  only  an  hour  by  sun  as  we 
rode  off  from  the  Eagle's  Cave.  At 
some  distance  I  turned  in  my  saddle 
and  looked  back.  It  was  a  singular 
sight,  those  five  hanging  corpses,  and 
one  not  easily  forgotten.  What  an  appalling  picture  it  must 
have  been  to  their  own  comrades,  who  doubtless  watched  the 
spectacle  from  some  distant  elevation  ! 

Motionless  they  hung,  in  all  the  picturesque  drapery 
of  their  strange  attire — draggling — dead !  The  pines  bent 
slightly  over,  the  eagle  screamed  as  he  swept  past,  and  high 
in  the  blue  air  a  thousand  bald  vultures  wheeled  and  circled, 
descending  at  every  curve. 

Before  we  had  ridden  out  of  sight  the  Eagle's  Cliff  was 
340 


A   BIRD  S-EYE   VIEW   OF   A   BATTLE.         34! 

black  with  zopilotes,  hundreds  clustering  upon  the  pines,  and 
whetting  their  fetid  beaks  over  their  prey,  still  warm.  I  could 
not  help  being  struck  with  this  strange  transposition  of  vic 
tims. 

We  forded  the  stream  below,  and  traveled  for  some  hours 
in  a  westerly  course,  over  a  half-naked  ridge.  At  midday 
we  reached  an  arroyo — a  clear,  cool  stream  that  gurgled 
along  under  a  thick  grove  of  the  palma  redonda.  Here  we 
"  nooned,"  stretching  our  bodies  along  the  greensward. 

At  sundown  we  rode  into  \hzpueblito  of  Jacomulco,  where 
we  had  determined  to  pass  the  night.  Twing  levied  on  the 
alcalde  for  forage  for  "  man  and  beast."  The  horses  were 
picketed  in  the  plaza,  while  the  men  bivouacked  by  their 
fires — strong  mounted  pickets  having  been  thrown  out  on  the 
roads  or  tracks  that  led  to  the  village. 

By  daybreak  we  were  again  in  our  saddles,  and  riding 
across  another  ridge,  we  struck  the  Plan  River  five  miles 
above  the  bridge,  and  commenced  riding  down  the  stream. 
We  were  still  far  from  the  water,  which  roared  and 
''soughed  "in  the  bottom  of  a  barranca,  hundreds  of  feet 
below  our  path. 

On  crossing  an  eminence  a  sight  suddenly  burst  upon  us 
that  caused  us  to  leap  up  in  our  saddles.  Directly  before  us, 
and  not  a  mile  distant,  rose  a  high  round  hill  like  a  semi- 
globe,  and  from  a  small  tower  upon  its  top  waved  the  stand 
ard  of  Mexico. 

Long  lines  of  uniformed  men  girdled  the  tower,  formed  in 
rank.  Horsemen  in  bright  dresses  galloped  up  and  down 
the  hill.  We  could  seethe  glitter  of  brazen  helmets,  and  the 
glancing  of  a  thousand  bayonets.  The  burnished  howitzer 
flashed  in  the  sunbeams,  and  we  could  discern  the  cannoniers 
standing  by  their  posts.  Bugles  were  braying  and  drums 
rolling.  So  near  were  they  that  we  could  distinguish  the 
the  call.  They  were  sounding  the  ' '  long  roll"  \ 

*'  Haiti     Great  heaven  1 "  cried  Twing,  jerking  his   horse 


342  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

upon  its  haunches  ;  "  we  are  riding  into  the  enemy's  camp'. 
Guide  !  "  he  added,  turning  fiercely  to  Raoul,  and  half  draw 
ing  his  sword,  "what's  this?" 

"  The  hill,  major,  replied  the  soldier  coolly,  "  is  '  El  Tel- 
egrafo.'  It  is  the  Mexican  headquarters,  I  take  it." 

"  And,  sir,  what  mean  you  ?     It  is  not  a  mile  distant !  " 

"  It  is  ten  miles,  major." 

"  Ten  !  Why,  sir,  I  can  trace  the  eagle  upon  that  flag ! 
It  is  not  one  mile,  by  Heaven !  " 

"  By  the  eye,  true ;  but  by  the  road,  major,  it  is  what  I 
have  said — ten  miles.  We  passed  the  crossing  of  the 
barranca  some  time  ago ;  there  is  no  other  before  we  reach 
El  Plan." 

It  was  true.  Although  within  range  of  the  enemy's  light 
est  metal,  we  were  ten  miles  off ! 

A  vast  chasm  yawned  between  us  and  them.  The  next 
moment  we  were  upon  its  brink,  and,  wheeling  sharply  to 
the  right,  we  trotted  on  as  fast  as  the  rocky  road  would 
allow  us. 

"  O  heavens  !  Haller,  we  shall  be  too  late.  Gallop  !  " 
shouted  Twing,  as  we  pressed  our  horses  side  by  side. 

The  troop  at  the  word  sprang  into  a  gallop.  El  Plan,  the 
bridge,  the  hamlet,  the  American  camp  with  its  thousand 
white  pyramids,  all  burst  upon  us  like  a  flash — below,  far 
below,  lying  like  a  map.  WTe  are  still  opposite  El  Telegrafo  ! 

"  By  heavens  !  "  cried  Twing,  "  our  camp  is  empty  !  " 

A  few  figures  only  vere  visible,  straggling  among  the 
tents  ;  the  teamster,  the  camp-guard,  the  invalid  soldier. 

"  Look  !  look !  " 

I  followed  the  direction  indicated.  Against  the  long  ridge 
that  rose  over  the  camp  a  dark-blue  line  could  be  traced — a 
line  of  uniformed  men,  glistening  as  they  moved  with  the 
sparkle  of  ten  thousand  bayonets.  It  wound  along  the  hill 
like  a  bristling  snake,  and,  heading  towards  El  Telegrafo, 
disappeared  for  a  moment  behind  the  ridge. 


A    BIRD  S-EYE   VIEW   OF  A   BATTLE.          343 

A  gun  from  the  globe-shaped  hill — and  then  another !  an 
other  !  another  ! — a  roll  of  musketry  ! — drums — bugles — 
shouts — cheering ! 

"  The  battle's  begun  !  " 

"  We  are  too  late  !  " 

We  were  still  eight  miles  from  the  scene  of  action.  We 
checked  up,  and  sat  chafing  in  our  saddles. 

And  now  the  roll  of  musketry  became  incessant,  and  we 
could  hear  the  crack !  crack  !  of  the  American  rifles.  And 
bombs  hurtled  and  rockets  hissed  through  the  air. 

The  round  hill  was  shrouded  in  a  cloud  of  sulphur,  and 
through  the  smoke  we  could  see  small  parties  creeping  up 
from  rock  to  rock,  from  bush  to  bush,  firing  as  they  went. 
We  could  see  some  tumbling  back  under  the  leaden  hail 
that  was  poured  upon  them  from  above. 

And  then  a  strong  band  debouched  from  the  woods  below, 
and  strained  upward,  daring  all  danger.  Up,  up  ! — and 
bayonets  were  crossed,  and  sabers  glistened  and  grew  red> 
and  wild  cries  filled  the  air.  And  then  came  a  cheer,  long, 
loud,  and  exulting,  and  under  the  thinning  smoke  thousands 
were  seen  rushing  down  the  steep,  and  flinging  themselves 
into  the  woods. 

We  knew  not  as  yet  which  party  it  was  that  were  thus 
flying.  We  looked  at  the  tower  in  breathless  suspense.  The 
cloud  was  around  its  base,  where  musketry  was  still  rolling, 
sending  its  deadly  missiles  after  the  fugitives  below. 

"  Look  !  look  !  "  cried  a  voice  ;  "  the  Mexican  flag — it  is 
down  !  See  !  l  the  star-spangled  banner  / ' ' 

The  American  standard  was  slowly  unfolding  itself  over 
the  blue  smoke,  and  we  could  easily  distinguish  the  stripes, 
and  the  dark  square  in  the  corner  with  its  silvery  stars  ; 
and,  as  if  with  one  voice,  our  troops  broke  into  a  wild 
"  Hurrah ! " 

Jn  less  time  than  you  have  taken  in  reading  this  account 
of  it  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo  was  lost  and  won. 


Mexican  Indians  Playing  with  Shuttlecock. 


CHAPTER    LIV. 


AN   ODD   WAY   OF     ESCAPING    FROM   A   BATTLE-FIELD. 


E  sat  on  our  horses,  fac 
ing  the  globe-shaped 
summit  of  El  Tele- 
grafo,  and  watching 
our  flag  as  it  swung  out  from 
the  tower. 

"  Look  yonder  !  what  is  that  ?  " 
cried  an  officer,  pointing  across 
the  barranca. 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  in 


the  face  of  the  opposite  cliff. 

"  Rein  back,   men  !  rein  back  !  "  shouted  Twing,   as  his 
eye  rested   upon   the  strange  object.     "  Throw  yourselves 
.»    under  cover  of  the  hill  1  " 
344 


AN   ODD   ESCAPE    FROM   A   BATTLE-FIELD.      345 

In  a  minute  our  whole  party — dragoons,  officers,  and  all 
— had  galloped  our  horses  into  the  bed  of  a  dry  arroyo, 
where  we  were  completely  screened  from  observation. 
Three  or  four  of  us,  dismounting,  along  with  Twing,  crept 
cautiously  forward  to  the  position  we  had  just  left,  and, 
raising  our  heads  over  the  bunch-grass,  looked  across  the 
chasm.  We  were  close  to  its  edge,  and  the  opposite 
"  cheek  "  of  the  barranca,  a  huge  wall  of  trap-rock,  about  a 
mile  horizontally  distant,  rose  at  least  a  thousand  feet  from 
the  river  bottom.  Its  face  was  almost  perpendicular,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  stairs  or  platforms  in  the  basaltic 
strata,  and  from  these  hung  out  stunted  palms,  cedars,  and 
dark,  shapeless  masses  of  cacti  and  agave. 

Down  this  front  the  living  line  was  still  moving — slowly, 
zigzag — along  narrow  ledges  and  over  jutting  points,  as 
though  some  white  liquid  or  a  train  of  gigantic  insects  were 
crawling  down  the  precipice.  The  occasional  flash  of  a 
bright  object  would  have  told  us  the  nature  of  this  strange 
phenomenon,  had  we  not  guessed  it  already.  They  were 
armed  men — Mexicans — escaping  from  the  field  of  battle  ; 
and  in  a  wood  upon  the  escarpment  of  the  cliff  we  could 
perceive  several  thousands  of  their  comrades  huddled  up, 
and  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  descend.  They  were 
evidently  concealed,  and  out  of  all  danger  from  their  pur 
suers  on  the  other  side.  Indeed,  the  main  body  of  the 
American  army  had  already  passed  their  position,  and  were 
moving  along  the  Jalapa  road,  following  up  the  clouds  of 
dust  that  hung  upon  the  retreating  squadrons  of  Santa  Anna. 
We  lay  for  some  time  observing  the  motions  of  these  cun 
ning  fugitives  as  they  streamed  downward.  The  head  of 
their  line  had  nearly  reached  the  timbered  bottom,  through 
whose  green  fringes  the  Plan  River  swept  onward,  curving 
from  cliff  to  cliff. 

Impatient  looks  were  cast  towards  the  major,  whose  cold 
gray  eye  showed  no  signs  of  action. 


346  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Well,  major — what's  to  be  done  ?  "  asked  one. 

"  Nothing,'*  was  the  impressive  reply. 

"  Nothing  !  "  echoed  every  one. 

"Why,  what  could  we  do?" 

"  Take  them  prisoners — every  one  of  them." 

"  Whom  prisoners  ?  " 

"  These  Mexicans— these  before  us." 

"  Ha  !  before  you  they  are — a  long  way,  too.  Bah  !  they 
are  ten  miles  off,  and,  even  if  we  could  ride  straight  down 
the  bluff  with  winged  horses,  what  could  our  hundred  men 
do  in  that  jungle  below  ?  Look  yonder  ! — there  are  a  thou 
sand  of  them  crawling  over  the  rocks  !  " 

"And  what  signify  numbers  ?"  asked  I,  now  speaking  for 
the  first  time.  "  They  are  already  defeated  and  flying — 
half  of  them,  I'll  wager,  without  arms.  Come,  major,  let  us 
go  !  We  can  capture  the  whole  party  without  firing  a  shot." 

"  But,  my  dear  captain,  we  cannot  reach  them  where  they 
are." 

"  It  is  not  necessary.  If  we  ride  up  the  cliffs,  they  will 
come  to  us." 

"  How  ? " 

"  You  see  this  dark  line.  It  is  not  three  miles  distant. 
You  know  that  timber  like  that  does  not  grow  on  the  naked 
face  of  a  cliff.  It  is  a  gorge,  and,  I'll  warrant,  a  watercourse 
too.  They  will  pass  through  it. 

"  Beautiful !  We  could  meet  them  as  they  came  up  it," 
cried  several  at  once. 

"  No,  lads  ! — no  !  You  are  all  wrong.  They  will  keep 
the  bottom — the  heavy  timber,  I  warrant  you.  It's  no  use 
losing  time.  We  must  round  to  the  road,  and  forward. 
Who  knows  that  we  may  not  find  work  enough  yet  ? 
Come ! " 

So  saying,  our  commanding-officer  rose  up,  and,  walking 
back,  to  the  arroyo,  leaped  into  his  saddle.  Of  course  we 
followed  his  example,  but  with  no  very  amiable  feelings.  I, 


AN   ODD    ESCAPE    FROM   A   BATTLE-FIELD.      347 

for  one,  felt  satisfied  that  we  might  have  made  a  dashing 
thing  of  it,  and  entered  the  camp  with  flying  colors.  I  felt, 
and  so  did  my  friend  Clayley,  like  a  schoolboy  who  had 
come  too  late  for  his  lesson,  and  would  gladly  have  been 
the  bearer  of  a  present  to  his  master :  moreover,  we  had 
learned  from  our  comrades  that  it  was  the  expressed  inten 
tion  of  the  commander-in-chief  to  capture  as  many  of  the 
enemy  as  possible  on  this  occasion.  This  determination 
arose  from  the  fact,  well  authenticated,  that  hundreds  who 
had  marched  out  of  Vera  Cruz  on  parole  had  gone  direct  to 
Cerro  Gordo,  with  the  intention  of  fighting  us  again  ;  and 
no  doubt  some  of  these  honorable  soldiers  were  among  the 
gentry  now  climbing  down  the  barranca. 

With  these  feelings,  Clayley  and  I  were  anxious  to  do 
something  that  might  cover  our  late  folly,  and  win  our  way 
back  to  favor  at  headquarters. 

"  Let  me  take  fifty  of  your  men  and  try  this.  You  know, 
Major  Twing,  I  have  a  score  to  rub  out." 

"  I  cannot,  captain — I  cannot.     We  must  on.     Forward !  " 

And  the  next  moment  we  were  moving  at  a  trot  in  the 
direction  of  El  Plan. 

For  the  first  time  I  felt  angry  at  Twing ;  and,  drawing  my 
bridle  tighter,  I  fell  back  to  the  rear.  What  would  I  not 
have  given  for  the  "  Rifle  Rangers  "  at  that  moment  ? 

I  was  startled  from  a  very  sullen  reverie  by  a  shot,  the 
whistling  of  a  rifle  bullet,  and  the  loud  "  Halt !  "  of  the 
major  in  front.  Raising  myself  on  the  instant,  I  could  see  a 
greenish-looking  object  just  disappearing  over  the  spur  of  a 
ridge.  It  was  a  vidette,  who  had  fired  and  run  in. 

"  Do  you  think  they  are  any  of  our  people  ?  " 

"  That  'ar's  one  of  our  kump'ny,  cap'n  ;  I  seed  the  green 
on  his  cap,"  said  Lincoln. 

I  galloped  to  the  front.  Twing  was  just  detaching  a  small 
party  to  reconnoiter.  I  fell  in  along  with  this,  and  aftef 


348  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

riding  a  hundred  yards  we  looked  over  the  ridge,  and  saw,  not 
four  hundred  yards  distant,  a  ten-inch  howitzer,  that  had 
just  been  wheeled  round,  and  now  stood  gaping  at  us.  In 
rear  of  the  gun  stood  a  body  of  artillerists,  and  on  their 
flanks  a  larger  body  of  what  appeared  to  be  light  infantry  or 
rifles.  It  would  have  been  anything  but  a  pleasing  sight, 
but  that  a  small  flag  with  red  and  white  stripes  was  playing 
over  the  gun  ;  and  our  party,  heedless  of  their  orders,  leaped 
their  horses  on  the  ridge  and,  pulling  off  their  caps,  saluted  it 
with  a  cheer. 

The  soldiers  by  the  battery  still  stood  undecided,  not 
knowing  what  to  make  of  our  conduct,  as  they  were  the  ad 
vanced  outpost  in  this  direction,  when  a  mounted  rifleman 
galloped  up  and  displayed  the  flag  of  his  regiment. 

A  wild  cheer  echoed  back  from  the  battery ;  and  the  next 
moment  both  parties  had  met,  and  were  shaking  each  other's 
hands  with  the  hearty  greetings  of  long-parted  friends. 

Not  the  least  interesting  to  me  was  the  fact  that  my  own 
corps,  under  the  command  of  its  lieutenant,  formed  the  prin 
cipal  guard  of  the  gun  ;  and  the  welcome  of  our  old  comrades 
was  such  as  we  should  have  received  had  we  come  back  from 
the  grave.  They  had  long  since  made  up  their  minds  that 
they  had  seen  the  last  of  us  ;  and  it  was  quite  amusing  to 
witness  these  brave  tirailleurs  as  they  gathered  around  Lin 
coln  and  his  comrades  to  hear  the  story  of  our  adventures. 


Indian  Weapons  and  Ornaments. 


CHAPTER   LV. 

A    WHOLESALE    CAPTURE. 

N  a  few  minutes  our  greetings  were 
over.  Twing  moved  on,  taking  with 
him  his  squadron  of  mounted  men. 
I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  take  the 
opposite  road — the  "  back  track."  I  was  now  in  command  of 
a  force — my  own — and  I  felt  keenly  the  necessity  of  doing 
something  to  redeem  my  late  folly.  Clayley  was  as  anxious 
as  myself. 

"  You  do  not  need  them  any  longer  ?  "  said  I  to  Ripley,  a 
gallant  young  fellow,  who  commanded  the  howitzer. 

"  No,  captain  ;  I  have  thirty  artillerists  here.  It  is  strange 
if  we  can't  keep  the  piece  and  manage  it  against  ten  times 
that  number  of  such  heroes  as  we  have  seen  over  yonder." 
And  he  pointed  to  the  flying  enemy  on  the  other  side  of  the 
barranca. 

349 


550  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  What  say  you  to  going  with  us  ?  " 

"  I  should  like  it  well ;  By  Jove !  but  duty,  my  dear  H.— 
duty.  I  must  stay  by  the  gun." 

"  Good-bye,  then,  comrade  !  We  have  no  time  to  lose — 
farewell !  " 

"  Good-bye ;  and  if  you're  whipped,  fall  back  on  me.  I'll 
keep  the  piece  here  till  you  return,  and  there'll  be  a  good 
load  of  grape  ready  for  anybody  that  may  be  in  pursuit  of 
you." 

The  company  had  by  this  time  formed  on  the  flank  of  the 
howitzer,  and  at  the  words  "  Forward  ! — quick  time  1 " 
started  briskly  across  the  hills. 

In  a  few  minutes  we  had  reached  the  point  where  the  road 
trended  for  some  distance  along  the  brow  of  the  precipice. 
Here  we  halted  a  moment ;  and  taking  Lincoln  and  Raoul, 
I  crawled  forward  to  our  former  point  of  observation. 

Our  time  spent  at  the  battery  had  been  so  short,  that,  with 
the  difficulty  which  the  enemy  experienced  in  descending  the 
cliff,  the  head  of  their  line  had  only  now  reached  the  bottom 
of  the  barranca.  They  were  running  in  twos  and  threes  to 
wards  the  stream,  which,  near  this  point,  impinged  upon  the 
foot  of  the  precipice.  With  a  small  glass  that  I  had  obtained 
from  Ripley  I  could  see  their  every  movement.  Some  of 
them  were  without  arms — they  had  doubtless  thrown  them 
away — while  others  still  carried  their  muskets,  and  not  a  few 
were  laden  with  knapsacks,  and  heavy  burdens,  too  ;  the 
household  gods — perhaps  stolen  ones — of  their  own  camp. 
As  they  reached  the  greensward  dropping  down  in  a  con 
stant  stream,  they  rushed  forward  to  the  water,  scrambling 
into  it  in  thirsty  crowds,  and  falling  upon  their  knees  to 
drink.  Some  of  them  rilled  their  canteens  and  went  on. 

"  They  intend  to  take  the  hills,"  thought  I.  I  knew  there 
was  no  water  for  miles  in  that  direction. 

As  I  swept  the  glass  round  the  bottom  of  the  cliff,  I  was 


A   WHOLESALE   CAPTURE.  35 1 

struck  with  an  object  that  stood  in  a  clump  of  palm-trees. 
It  was  a  mule  saddled,  and  guarded  by  several  soldiers  more 
richly  uniformed  than  the  masses  who  were  struggling  past 
them. 

"  They  are  waiting  for  some  officer  of  rank,"  thought  I. 
I  moved  the  glass  slowly  along  the  line  of  descending  bodies, 
and  upward  against  the  rocks  to  a  small  platform,  nearly 
half-way  up  the  cliff.  Several  bright  uniforms  flashed  upon 
the  lens.  The  platform  was  shaded  with  palms ;  and  I  could 
see  that  this  party  had  halted  a  moment  for  the  purpose  (as 
I  then  conjectured)  of  allowing  the  foremost  fugitives  to 
pioneer  the  wooded  bottom.  I  was  right.  As  soon  as  these 
had  crossed  the  stream,  and  made  some  way  in  the  jungle 
along  its  banks,  the  former  continued  their  descent ;  and 
now  I  saw  what  caused  my  pulse  to  beat  feverishly — that 
one  of  these  carried  a  dark  object  on  his  back.  An  object  ? 
— a  man — and  that  man  could  be  no  other  than  the  lame 
tyrant  of  Mexico. 

I  can  scarcely  describe  my  feelings  at  this  moment.  The 
young  hunter  who  sees  noble  game — a  bear,  a  panther  a 
buffalo — within  reach  of  his  rifle  for  the  first  time,  might 
feel  as  I  did.  I  hated  this  man,  as  all  honest  men  must  and 
should  hate  a  cowardly  despot.  During  our  short  campaign 
I  had  heard  many  a  well-authenticated  story  of  his  base 
villainy,  and  I  believe  at  that  moment  I  would  have  willingly 
parted  with  my  hand  to  have  brought  him  as  near  to  me  as 
he  appeared  under  the  field  of  the  telescope.  I  thought  I 
could  even  distinguished  the  lines,  deep  furrowed  by  guilt, 
on  his  dark,  malice-marked  face ;  and  as  I  became  sure  of 
the  identity,  I  drew  back  my  head,  cautioning  my  compan 
ions  to  do  the  same. 

Now  was  the  time  for  action,  and  putting  up  the  glass, 
we  crawled  back  to  our  comrades.  I  had  learned  from 
Raoul  that  the  dark  line  which  I  had  noticed  before  was,  as 


352  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

I  had  conjectured,  the  canon  of  a  small  arroyo,  heavily  tim 
bered,  and  forming  a  gap  or  pass  that  led  to  the  Plan  River, 
It  was  five  miles  distant,  instead  of  three.  So  much  the 
better,  and  with  a  quick,  crouching  gait  we  were  once  more 
upon  our  way.  I  had  told  my  comrades  enough  to  make 
some  of  them  as  eager  as  I.  Many  of  them  would  have 
given  half  a  life  for  a  shot  at  game  like  that.  Not  a  few  of 
them  remembered  they  had  lost  a  brother  on  the  plains  of 
Goliad,  or  at  the  fortress  of  the  Alamo. 

The  Rangers,  moreover,  had  been  chafing  "  all  day  for  a 
fight,"  and  now,  so  unexpectedly  led  at  something  like  it, 
they  were  just  in  the  humor.  They  moved  as  one  man,  and 
the  five  miles  that  lay  between  us  and  the  gorge  were  soon 
passed  to  the  rear.  We  reached  it,  I  think,  in  about  an 
hour.  Considering  the  steep  pass  through  which  the  enemy 
must  come,  we  knew  there  was  a  breathing-time,  though  not 
long,  for  us ;  and  during  this  I  matured  my  plans,  part  of 
which  I  had  arranged  upon  the  route. 

A  short  survey  of  the  ground  convinced  us  that  it  could 
not  have  been  better  fitted  for  an  ambuscade  had  we  chosen 
it  at  our  leisure.  The  gorge  or  canon  did  not  run  directly 
up  the  cliff,  but  in  a  zigzag  line,  so  that  a  man  at  the  top 
could  only  alarm  another  coming  up  after  him  by  shouting 
or  firing  his  piece.  This  was  exactly  what  we  wanted, 
knowing  that,  although  we  might  capture  a  few  of  the  fore 
most,  those  in  the  rear,  being  alarmed,  could  easily  take  to 
the  river  bottom  and  make  their  escape  through  the  thickets. 
It  was  our  design  to  make  our  prisoners,  if  possible,  with 
out  firing  a  single  shot ;  and  this,  under  the  circumstances,, 
we  did  not  deem  an  impossible  matter. 

The  pass  was  a  dry  arroyo,  its  banks  fringed  with  large 
pines  and  cotton-woods,  matted  together  by  llianas  and  vines. 
Where  the  gorge  debouched  into  the  uplands,  its  banks; 
were  high  and  naked,  with  here  and  there  a  few  scattered 


A  WHOLESALE   CAPTURE.  353 

palmettoes   that   grew  up   from    huge  hassocks   of   bunch- 
grass. 

Behind  each  of  these  bunches  a  rifleman  was  stationed, 
forming  a  deployed  line,  with  its  concave  arc  facing  the  em 
bouchure  of  the  gorge,  and  gradually  closing  in,  so  that  it 
ended  in  a  clump  of  thick  chapparal  upon  the  very  verge  of 
the  precipice.  At  this  point,  on  each  side  of  the  path,  were 
stationed  half  a  dozen  men,  in  such  a  position  as  to  be  hidden 
from  any  party  passing  upward,  until  it  had  cleared  the 
canon  and  its  retreat  was  secured  against.  At  the  opposite 
end  of  the  elliptical  deployment  a  stronger  party  was  sta 
tioned,  Clayley  in  command  and  Raoul  to  act  as  interpreter. 
Oakes  and  I  took  our  places,  commanding  the  separate 
detachments  on  the  brow. 

Our  arrangements  occupied  us  only  a  few  minutes.  I 
had  to  deal  with  men,  many  of  whom  had  "  surrounded  " 
buffaloes  in  a  somewhat  similar  manner ;  and  it  did  not  re 
quire  much  tact  to  teach  them  a  few  modifications  in  the 
game.  In  five  minutes  we  were  all  in  our  places,  waiting 
anxiously  and  in  perfect  silence. 

As  yet  not  a  murmur  had  reached  us  from  below,  except 
the  sighing  of  the  wind  through  the  tall  trees,  and  the 
"  sough "  of  the  river  as  it  tumbled  away  over  its  pebbly 
bed.  Now  and  then  we  heard  a  stray  shot,  or  the  quick, 
sharp  notes  of  a  cavalry  bugle  ;  but  these  were  far  off,  and 
only  told  of  the  wild  work  that  was  still  going  on  along  the 
road  towards  Encerro  and  Jalapa. 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  by  us  to  each  other.  The  men 
who  were  deployed  along  the  hill  lay  hidden  behind  the 
hassocks  of  the  palmettoes,  and  from  our  position  not  one 
of  them  was  to  be  seen. 

I  must  confess  I  felt  strange  emotions  at  this  moment — • 
one  of  the  most  anxious  of  my  life  ;  and  although  I  felt  no 
hate  towards  the  enemy — no  desire  to  injure  one  of  them 
23 


354  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

excepting  him  of  whom  I  have  spoken — there  was  some 
thing  so  wild,  so  thrilling,  in  the  excitement  of  thus  entrap 
ping  man,  the  highest  of  all  animals,  that  I  could  not  have 
foregone  the  inhuman  sport.  I  had  no  intention  that  it 
should  be  inhuman.  I  well  knew  what  would  be  their 
treatment  as  prisoners  of  war ;  and  I  had  given  orders  that 
not  a  shot  should  be  fired  nor  a  blow  struck,  in  case  they 
threw  down  their  arms  and  yielded  without  resistance.  But 
for  him — humanity  had  many  a  score  to  settle  with  him ; 
and  at  the  time  I  did  not  feel  a  very  strong  inclination  to 
resist  what  would  be  the  Rangers'  desire  on  that  question. 

"  Is  not  all  our  fine  ambuscade  for  nothing  ?  "  I  said  to 
myself,  after  a  long  period  of  waiting,  and  no  signs  of  an 
enemy. 

I  had  begun  to  fancy  as  much,  and  to  suspect  that  the 
flying  Mexicans  had  kept  along  the  river,  when  a  sound 
like  the  humming  of  bees  came  up  the  pass.  Presently  it 
grew  louder,  until  I  could  distinguish  the  voices  of  men. 
Our  hearts  as  yet  beat  louder  than  their  voices.  Now  the 
stones  rattled,  as,  loosened  from  their  sloping  beds,  they 
rolled  back  and  downwards.  * 

"  Guardaos,  hombre  /"  (Look  out,  man !),  shouted  one. 

"  Carrajo  /"  cried  another  ;  "  take  care  what  you're  about ! 
I  haven't  escaped  the  Yankee  bullets  to-day  to  have  my  skull 
cloven  in  that  fashion.  Arriba  !  arriba  !  " 

"  I  say,  Antonio — you're  sure  this  road  leads  out 
above  ? " 

"  Quite  sure,  camarado" 

"  And  then  on  to  Orizava  ?  " 

"  On  to  Orizava — derecho,  derecho? 

"  But  how  far — hombre  ?  " 

"  Oh !  there  are  halting-places— /^///to.* 

"  Vaya  !  I  don't  care  how  soon  we  reach  them.  I'm  as 
hungry  as  a  famished  coyote." 


A   WHOLESALE   CAPTURE.  355 

"  Carrai  !  the  coyotes  of  these  parts  won't  be  hungry  for 

some  time.      Vaya  !  " 

"  Who  knows  whether  they've  killed  '  El  Cojo  '  ?  " 

"  '  Catch  a  fox,  kill  a  fox.'     No.     He's  found  some  hole 

to  creep  through,  I  warrant  him. 

*  El  que  mata  un  ladron 
Tiene  cien  anos  de  perdon. '  " 

(  He  who  kills  a  robber  will  receive  a  hundred  years  of 
pardon  for  the  offense.) 

This  was  hailed  with  a  sally  by  the  very  men  who,  only 
one  hour  ago,  were  shouting  themselves  hoarse  with  the 
cries  of  "  Viva  el  general !  Viva  Santa  Anna!"  And  on 
they  scrambled,  talking  as  before,  one  of  them  informing  his 
comrades  with  a  laugh  that  if  "  los  Tejanos  "  could  lay  their 
hands  upon  "  El  Cojo,"  they,  the  Mexicans,  would  have  to 
look  out  for  a  new  president. 

They  had  now  passed  us.  We  were  looking  at  their 
backs.  The  first  party  contained  a  string  of  fifteen  or 
twenty,  mostly  soldiers  of  the  "  raw  battalions  " — conscripts 
who  wore  the  white  linen  jackets  and  wide,  sailor-looking 
pantaloons  of  the  volunteer. 

Raw  as  these  fellows  were,  either  from  their  position  in 
the  battle,  or,  more  likely,  from  a  better  knowledge  of  the 
country,  they  had  been  able  thus  far  to  make  their  escape, 
when  thousands  of  their  veteran  companions  had  been  cap 
tured.  But  few  of  them  were  armed  ;  they  had  thrown  their 
guns  away  in  the  hurry  of  flight. 

At  this  moment  we  could  distinguish  the  voices  of 
Raoul : 

"  Alto  !  abajo  las  armas  I "  (Halt !  down  with  arms  !) 

At  this  challenge  we  could  see — for  they  were  still  in 
sight — that  some  of  the  Mexicans  leaped  clear  up  from  the 
ground.  One  or  two  looked  back,  as  if  with  the  intention 


356  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

of  re-entering  the  gorge,  but  a  dozen  muzzles  met  theii 
gaze. 

"  Adelante  !  adelante  ! — somos  amigos  "  (Forward  ! — we  are 
friends),  I  said  to  them  in  a  half-whisper,  fearing  to  alarm 
their  comrades  in  the  rear,  at  the  same  time  waving  them 
onward. 

As  on  one  side  Clayley  presented  a  white  flag,  while  on 
the  other  there  was  to  be  seen  a  bunch  of  dark  yawning 
tubes,  the  Mexicans  were  not  long  in  making  their  choice. 
In  a  minute  they  had  disappeared  from  our  sight,  preferring 
the  companionship  of  Clayley  and  Raoul,  who  would  know 
how  to  dispose  of  them  in  a  proper  manner. 

We  had  scarcely  got  rid  of  these  when  another  string 
debouched  up  the  glen,  unsuspicious  as  were  their  comrades 
of  the  fate  that  awaited  them. 

These  were  managed  in  a  similar  manner ;  and  another 
and  another  party,  all  of  whom  were  obliged  to  give  up  their 
arms  and  fling  themselves  to  the  earth,  as  soon  as  they  had 
reached  the  open  ground  above. 

This  continued  until  I  began  to  grow  fearful  that  we  were 
making  more  prisoners  than  we  could  safely  hold,  and  on 
the  knowledge  of  this  fact  they  might  try  to  overpower  us. 

But  the  tempting  prize  had  not  yet  appeared.  He  could 
not  be  far  distant,  and,  allured  by  this  prospect,  I  determined 
to  hold  out  a  while  longer. 

A  termination,  however,  to  our  wholesale  trapping  was 
brought  about  by  an  unexpected  event.  A  party,  consisting 
of  some  ten  or  fifteen  men,  many  of  them  officers,  suddenly 
appeared,  and  marched  boldly  out  of  the  gorge. 

As  these  struck  the  level  ground  we  could  hear  the 
"  Alto  !  "  of  Raoul ;  but  instead  of  halting  as  their  compan 
ions  had  done,  several  of  them  drew  their  swords  and  pistols 
and  rushed  down  the  pass. 

A  volley  from  both  sides  stopped  the  retreat  of  some ; 


A  WHOLESALE   CAPTURE.  357 

others  escaped  along  the  sides  of  the  cliff ;  and  a  few — not 
over  half  a  dozen — succeeded  in  entering  the  gorge.  It  was, 
of  course,  beyond  our  power  to  follow  them ;  and  I  ordered 
the  deployed  line  to  close  in  around  the  prisoners  already 
taken,  lest  they  should  attempt  to  imitate  their  braver  com 
rades. 

We  had  no  fear  of  being  assailed  from  the  ravine.  Those 
who  had  gone  down  carried  a  panic  along  with  them  that 
would  secure  us  from  that  danger.  At  the  same  time  we 
knew  that  the  tyrant  would  now  be  alarmed  and  escape. 

Several  of  the  Rangers — souvenirs  of  Santa  Fd  and  San 
Jacinto — requested  my  permission  to  go  upon  his  "  trail " 
and  pick  him  off. 

This  request,  under  the  circumstances,  I  could  not  grant, 
and  we  set  about  securing  our  prisoners.  Gun-slings  and 
waist-belts  were  soon  spilt  into  thongs,  and  with  these  our 
captives  were  tied  two  and  two,  forming  in  all  a  battalion 
of  a  hundred  and  fifteen  files — two  hundred  and  thirty 
men. 

With  these  arranged  in  such  a  manner  as  we  could  most 
conveniently  guard  them,  we  marched  triumphantly  into  the 
American  camp. 


Peace  Pipe. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

A  DUEL,  WITH  AN  ODD  ENDING. 

FTER  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo,  our 
victorious  troops  pursued  the  enemy 
on  to  Jalapa,  where  the  army  halted 
to  bring  up  its  wounded,  and  prepare 
for  an  advance  upon  the  capital  of 
Mexico. 

The  Jalapefios  did  not  receive  us  inhospitably — nor  the 
Jalapefias  either.  They  expected,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that 
we  would  sack  their  beautiful  city.  This  we  did  not  do,  and 
their  gratitude  enabled  our  officers  to  pass  their  time  some 
what  agreeably.  The  gay  round  that  always  succeeds  a 
battle — for  dead  comrades  are  soon  forgotten  amidst  con 
gratulations  and  new  titles — had  no  fascination  for  me. 

The  balls,  the  tertulias  the  dias  de  campo,  were  alike  insipid 
and  tiresome.  She  was  not  there — and  where  ?  I  knew  not. 
I  might  never  see  her  again.  All  I  knew  was,  that  they  had 
gone  up  the  country — perhaps  to  Cordova  or  Orizava. 

Clayley  shared  my  feelings.  The  bright  eyes  in  the  bal 
conies,  the  sweet  voices  in  the  orange-shaded  patios  of  Jalapa, 

358 


A  DUEL,  WITH  AN  ODD  ENDING.     359 

had  neither  brightness  nor  music  for  us.  We  were  both 
thoroughly  miserable. 

To  add  to  this  unhappy  state  of  things,  a  bad  feeling  had 
sprung  up  among  the  officers  of  our  army — a  jealousy  be 
tween  the  old  and  the  new.  Those  of  the  old  standing  army 
holding  themselves  as  a  species  of  military  aristocracy,  looked 
upon  their  brethren  of  the  new  regiments  as  "  interlopers  " ; 
and  this  feeling  pervaded  all  ranks,  from  the  commander-m- 
chief  down  to  the  lowest  subaltern. 

It  did  not,  however,  interest  all  individuals.  There  were 
many  honorable  men  on  both  sides  who  took  no  part  in  a 
question  so  ridiculous,  but,  on  the  contrary,  endeavored  to 
frown  it  down.  It  was  the  child  of  idleness  and  a  long  spell 
of  garrison  duty.  On  the  eve  of  a  battle  it  always  disappeared. 
I  have  adverted  to  this,  not  that  it  might  interest  the  reader, 
but  as  explaining  a  result  connected  with  myself. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  actors  in  this  quarrel,  on  the 
side  of  the  "  old  regulars,"  was  a  young  officer  named  Ran 
som,  a  captain  in  an  infantry  regiment.  He  was  a  good 
fellow  in  other  respects,  and  a  brave  soldier,  I  believe  ;  his 
chief  weakness  lay  in  a  claim  to  be  identified  with  the 
"  aristocracy." 

It  is  strange  that  this  miserable  ambition  is  always  strong 
est  where  it  should  exist  with  the  least  propriety.  I  have  ob 
served,  in  traveling  though  life — and  so  has  the  reader,  no 
doubt — \h&t  parvenus  are  the  greatest  sticklers  for  aristo 
cratic  privilege  :  and  Captian  Ransom  was  no  exception  to 
this  rule.  In  tumbling  over  some  old  family  papers,  I  had 
found  a  receipt  from  the  gallant  captain's  grandfather  to  my 
own  progenitor,  acknowledging  the  payment  of  a  bill  for 
leather  breeches. 

It  so  happened  that  this  very  receipt  was  in  my  portman 
teau  at  the  time ;  and,  nettled  at  the  "  carryings  on"  of  the 
tailor's  grandson,  I  drew  it  forth  and  spread  it  out  upon  the 


360  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

mess-table.  My  brethren  of  the  mess  were  highly  tickled  at 
the  document,  several  of  them  copying  it  off  for  future  use. 

A  copy  soon  reached  Ransom,  who  in  his  hour  of  in 
dignation  made  use  of  certain  expressions  that,  in  their  turn, 
soon  reached  me. 

The  result  was  a  challenge  borne  by  my  friend  Clayley, 
and  the  affair  was  arranged  for  the  following  morning. 

The  place  chosen  for  our  morning's  diversion  was  a  se 
questered  spot  upon  the  banks  of  the  river  Zedena,  and  along 
the  solitary  road  that  leads  out  towards  the  Cofre  de  Perotd. 

At  sunrise  we  rode  out  in  two  carriages,  six  of  us,  includ 
ing  our  seconds  and  surgeons.  About  a  mile  from  town  we 
halted,  and,  leaving  the  carriages  upon  the  road,  crossed 
over  into  a  small  glade  in  the  midst  of  the  chapparal. 

It  was  as  pretty  a  spot  for  our  purpose  as  the  heart  could 
wish  for,  and  had  often,  we  were  informed,  been  used  for 
similar  morning  exercises — that  was,  before  chivalry  had  died 
out  among  the  descendants  of  Cortez  and  the  conquerors. 

The  ground  was  soon  lined  off — ten  paces — and  we  took 
our  stands,  back  to  back.  We  were  to  wheel  at  the  word 
"  Ready  1 "  and  fire  at  "  One,  two,  three  !  " 

We  were  waiting  for  the  word,  with  that  deathlike  silence 
which  always  precedes  a  similar  signal,  when  Little  Jack,  who 
had  been  left  with  the  carriages,  rushed  into  a  glade,  calling 
with  all  his  might : 

"  Captain  !  captain  !  " 

Every  face  was  turned  upon  him  with  scowling  inquiry, 
when  the  boy,  gasping  for  breath,  shouted  out : 

"  The  Mexicans  are  on  the  road  1  " 

The  (words  had  scarcely  passed  his  lips  when  the  tramp 
ling  of  hoofs  sounded  in  our  ears,  and  the  next  moment  a 
band  of  horsemen  came  driving  pell-mell  into  the  opening. 
At  a  single  glance  we  recognized  the  guerilla! 

Ransom,  who  was  nearest,  blazed  away  at  the  foremost  •'& 


A  DUEL,  WITH  AN  ODD  ENDING.     361 

the  band,  missing  his  aim.  With  a  spring  the  guerillero  was 
over  him,  his  saber  raised  for  the  blow.  I  fired,  and  the 
Mexican  leaped  from  his  saddle  with  a  groan. 

"  Thank  you,  Haller,"  cried  my  antagonist,  as  we  rushed 
side  by  side  towards  the  pistols. 

There  were  four  pairs  in  all,  and  the  surgeons  and  seconds 
had  already  armed  themselves,  and  were  pointing  their  weap 
ons  at  the  enemy.  We  seized  the  remaining  two,  cocking 
them  as  we  turned. 

At  this  moment  my  eye  fell  upon  a  black  horse,  and,  look 
ing,  I  recognized  the  rider.  He  saw  and  recognized  me  at 
the  same  moment,  and,  driving  the  spurs  into  his  horse's 
flanks,  sprang  forward  with  a  yell.  With  one  bound  he  was 
over  me,  his  white  teeth  gleaming  like  a  tiger's.  His  saber 
flashed  in  my  eyes — I  fired — a  heavy  body  dashed  against 
me — I  was  struck  senseless  to  the  earth ! 

I  was  only  stunned,  and  in  a  few  moments  I  came  to  my 
senses.  Shots  and  shouts  rang  around  me.  I  heard  the 
trampling  of  hoofs  and  the  groans  of  wounded  men. 

I  looked  up.  Horsemen  in  dark  uniforms  were  galloping 
across  the  glade  and  into  the  woods  beyond.  I  recognized 
the  yellow  facings  of  the  American  dragoons. 

I  drew  my  hand  over  my  face  ;  it  was  wet  with  blood.  A 
heavy  body  lay  across  mine,  which  Little  Jack,  with  all  his 
strength,  was  endeavoring  to  drag  off.  I  crawled  from  un 
der  it,  and,  bending  over,  looked  at  the  features.  I  knew 
them  at  a  glance.  I  muttered  to  my  servant : 

"Dubroscl     He  is  dead  !  " 

His  body  lay  spread  out  in  .  its  picturesque  attire.  A  fair 
form  it  was.  A  bullet — my  own — had  passed  through  his 
heart,  killing  him  instantly.  I  placed  my  hand  upon  his  fore 
head.  It  was  cold  already,  and'  his  beautiful  features  were 
white  and  ashy.  His  eyes  glared  with  the  ghastly  expression 
of  death. 


362  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Close  them,"  I  said  to  the  boy,  and  turned  away  from 
the  spot. 

Wounded  men  lay  around,  dragoons  and  Mexicans,  and 
some  were  already  dead. 

A  party  of  officers  was  at  the  moment  returning  from  the 
pursuit,  and  I  recognized  my  late  adversary,  with  our  seconds 
and  surgeons.  My  friend  Clayley  had  been  wounded  in  the 
metie,  and  I  observed  that  he  carried  his  arm  in  a  sling.  A 
dragoon  officer  galloped  up. 

It  was  Colonel  Harding. 

"These  fellows,  gentlemen,"  cried  he,  reining  up  his 
horse,  "  just  came  in  time  to  relieve  me  from  a  disagreeable 
duty.  I  have  orders  from  the  commander-in-chief  to  arrest 
Captains  Haller  and  Ransom. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,"  he  continued  with  a  smile,  "  I  think 
you  have  had  fighting  enough  for  one  morning,  and  if  you 
will  promise  me  to  be  quiet  young  men,  and  keep  the  peace, 
I  shall  for  once  in  my  life,  take  the  liberty  of  disobeying  a 
general's  orders.  What  say  you,  gentlemen  ?  " 

It  needed  not  this  appeal.  There  had  been  no  serious 
cause  of  quarrel  between  my  adversary  and  myself,  and, 
moved  by  a  simlar  impulse,  we  both  stepped  forward  and 
grasped  one  another  by  the  hand. 

"  Forgive  me,  my  dear  Haller,"  said  Ransom ;  "  I  retract 
all.  I  assure  you  my  remarks  were  only  made  upon  the  spur 
of  the  moment,  when  I  was  angry  about  those  cussed  leather 
breeches." 

"  And  I  regret  to  have  given  you  cause,"  I  replied.  "  Come 
with  me  to  my  quarters.  Let  us  have  a  glass  of  wine  to 
gether,  and  we  shall  light  our  cigars  with  the  villainous  doc 
ument." 

A  burst  of  laughter  followed,  in  which  Ransom  good-na 
turedly  joined  ;  and  we  were  soon  on  our  way  to  town,  seated 
in  the  same  carriage,  and  the  best  friends  in  creation  1 


A  DUEL,  WITH  AN  ODD  ENDING. 


363 


****** 

Some  of  the  soldiers  who  had  "  rifled "  the  body  of 
Dubrosc  found  a  paper  upon  him  which  proved  that  the 
Frenchman  was  a  spy  in  the  service  of  Santa  Anna.  He  had 
thrown  himself  into  the  company  at  New  Orleans  with  the 
intention  of  gaining  information,  and  then  deserting  on  his 
arrival  at  Mexico.  This  he  succeeded  in  doing  in  the  manner 
detailed.  Had  he  been  in  command  of  the  "  Rifle  Rangers," 
he  would  doubtless  have  found  an  opportunity  to  deliver  them 
over  to  the  enemy  at  La  Virgen  or  elsewhere. 


Artistic  and  Unique  Pottery  of  the  Aztecs. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 


A  BRACE  OF  RUFFIAN  SOLDIERS. 

HORTLY  after  the  occurrence  of  the  duel, 
some  changes  were  made  in  the  quarters 
of  the  American  army.  Worth,  command 
ing  the  vanguard  division,  had  pushed 
forward  to  Perote',  and  occupied  the  town 
and  fortress ;  but  the  arrival  of  fresh  re 
giments  from  the  United  States  rendered 
it  necessary  that  a  camp  should  be  formed, 
as  in  Jalapa  there  was  not  barrack-room 
to  accommodate  the  troops.  A  camp  was 
accordingly  chosen  at  a  place  called  Serena 
hacienda  about  a  league  and  a  half  out  of  Jalapa, 
and  nearer  the  mountains.  Here  a  division  of  the  army 
went  into  cantonment,  to  wait  some  troops  still  on  their  way 
from  the  United  States,  before  making  the  final  advance 
upon  the  capital. 

The  "  Rifle  Rangers  "  was  one  of  the  corps  destined  to  camp 

364 


A   BRACE   OF   RUFFIAN   SOLDIERS.  365 

duty  at  Serena,  and  this  announcement  was  received  by  my 
comrades  with  feelings  akin  to  dismay. 

"  Leave  Jalapa !  "  echoed  a  dozen  voices  in  tones  of  in 
dignation. 

"  Ay,  just  so,"  muttered  Blossom;  "always  the  way — just 
as  one  was  getting  comfortably  fixed  !  " 

"  Hard  case — ain't  it,  lads  ?  "  said  Twing,  taking  a  pull 
at  his  flask.  "  Pretty  town  Jalapa — pretty  girls.  Hard  luck 
to  leave  it !  " 

"  But  what  sort  of  a  place  is  Serena  ?  "  asked  one.  "  I 
never  heard  of  it." 

"Only  a  hacienda,"  replied  Blossom — "a  posada — a 
country  inn — no  houses — no  fuel — plenty  of  water — mud 
knee-deep :  a  confounded  nasty  hole — that's  what  it  is."  • 

"  The  plague  take  old  Scott !  "  said  one.  "  I  wish  he  was 
in — in — in ' ' 

"  Say  Hong  Kong,  major,"  suggested  a  young  officer,  in 
terrupting  the  major's  fearful  anathema  against  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. 

"  Too  good  for  him,"  said  the  major — "  he  always  serves 
me  so.  If  there's  any  work  either  dirty  or  dangerous,  old 
Bios  is  sure  to  have  it.  Anything  good  enough  for  him  ;  " 
and  here  the  major  uttered  another  of  his  picturesque  ex 
clamations. 

The  order  of  a  commander-in-chief  requires  obedience, 
and  in  ten  hours  after  its  reception  we  were  marching  out  of 
Jalapa,  the  lovely  Jalapenas  saluting  us  with  parting  smiles 
as  we  passed  under  their  balconies. 

We  found  Serena  what  the  major  had  represented  it,  a 
filthy  mud-hole,  with  nothing  in  creation  to  recommend  it 
for  a  military  cantonment  but  water.  That  we  had  to  our 
hearts'  content,  for  the  rainy  season  had  just  set  in,  and 
we  were  treated  each  day  to  some  five  or  six  hours  of  a 
"  planet "  shower.  During  these  hours  the  rain  fell  as  if 


366  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

from  a  thousand  spouts,  and  it  was  utterly  impossible  to  pu. 
one's  nose  out  of  one's  tent  without  being  wet  to  the  shirt. 
It  is  true  we  had  bright  mornings  up  till  twelve ;  but  what 
of  that  ?  There  was  nowhere  to  go.  We  might  stroll 
through  the  neighboring  fields  and  thickets,  taking  care  not 
to  go  too  far,  as  some  of  our  fellows  had  been  carried  in 
without  any  breath  in  their  bodies,  and  a  t  neatly  carved  on 
their  cold  foreheads. 

God  help  us  1  never  was  there  such  a  camp  as  ours  at 
Serena.  To  make  matters  more  disagreeable  to  me,  I  had 
lost  for  a  time  the  cheerful  companionship  of  my  friend 
Clayley,  as  the  lieutenant,  who  had  not  yet  recovered  from 
his  wounds,  remained  in  Jalapa.  His  place  in  my  affections 
was  temporarily  supplied  by  a  brave  but  somewhat  singular, 
fellow  named  Taplin,  also  a  lieutenant  in  our  corps,  who, 
previous  to  his  joining  the  army,  had  led  a  wild  and  adven 
turous  life  upon  the  prairies.  He  was  still  young,  but 
taciturn,  and  of  modest  demeanor,  though  as  bold  as  a  lion. 
His  cool  courage  and  perilous  experiences  greatly  interested 
me,  and  we  were  much  in  each  other's  company. 

"  Come,  come,  let  us  be  off,  Harry  1  " 

It  was  the  voice  of  my  friend  Taplin  that  reached  me  one 
morning  as  we  turned  on  our  heels  after  saluting  the  officer 
of  the  day. 

"  Where  to-day  ?  " 

My  friend  hesitated,  coloring  slightly. 

"  I  need  not  have  asked,"  continued  I,  observing  that 
Taplin  was  embarrassed. 

«  Well — what  of  it  ?  One  must  find  some  way  of  killing 
time.  The  captive  trains  a  spider,  and  why  should  not 
I " 

"  Be  a  fly,  caught  by  a  Mexican  tarantula  1  Ay,  caught, 
Charles  Taplin — sober  Charles  Taplin  1 " 

"  Pshaw,  captain  1  you're  crazed." 


A   BRACE   OF   RUFFIAN   SOLDIERS.  367 

"  Or  you.  Well,  if  we  must  go  that  way,  it  is  time  to  be 
off.  They  will  now  be  returning  from  the  city.  Vamos  /" 

We  struck  a  path  into  the  chapparal,  which,  after  wind 
ing  through  the  flowery  glades,  debouched  upon  the  main 
road  near  Banderilla.  We  walked  downhill  in  the  direction 
of  Jalapa,  looking  before  us.  At  a  bend  in  the  road,  where 
the  trees  hung  over,  we  descried  the  objects  we  were  in 
search  of.  They  were  an  Indian  family  :  an  old  and  very 
reverend-looking  man,  two  well  grown  girls,  his  daughters, 
and  a  quick,  intelligent  lad.  Two  or  three  donkeys  and  a 
huge  dog  of  the  San  Bernard  breed  completed  the  group. 
The  Indian  himself  was  dressed  in  the  leathern  costume  of 
the  country,  and  carried  over  his  shoulder  the  never-failing 
serape.  The  boy  wore  a  similar  garb,  while  the  girls  were 
tastefully  attired  in  bright  naguas  and  snowy  chemisettes. 

There  was  something  peculiar  about  this  family.  For 
many  days  we  had  met  them  journeying  homeward  from  the 
market  of  Jalapa.  We  had  been  attracted  at  first  by  their 
quiet  manners  and  their  apparent  domestic  unity.  We  had 
met  them  several  times  without  seeing  the  faces  of  the 
girls.  They  had  worn  their  rebozos  drawn,  in  the  style 
termed  "tapado."  We  at  length  saw  them  unveiled,  and 
from  that  moment  the  interest  of  my  companion  was  heigh 
tened.  It  became  a  passion — it  became  love — a  love,  too, 
as  ardent  as  it  was  sudden. 

He  had  fixed  upon  the  younger  as  the  object,  though  the 
two  girls  were  very  like  each  other.  Both  were,  to  say  the 
least,  of  exceeding  beauty,  and  would  have  attracted  the  at 
tention  of  any  other  pair  of  idlers  far  less  romantic  than  we. 
It  was  a  style  of  beauty  peculiar  to  the  Aztec  Indian — for  of 
this  race  they  were  :  aquiline  features,  with  something  of 
that  expression  which  distinguishes  the  maidens  of  the 
Jewish  race.  Their  eyes  were  Mongolian — oblique — and, 
as  they  are  termed  by  novelists,  "almond-shaped."  The 


368  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

rice-like  rows  of  their  teeth  were  partly  concealed  by  lips  of 
a  purplish  red,  while  the  same  hue,  bursting  through  the 
silky  bronze  of  their  cheeks,  imparted  to  them  an  appearance 
of  extreme  health.  Their  thick  black  hair,  arranged  in 
plaits,  hung  down  behind,  reaching  far  below  the  waist. 
These  plaits  were  confined  by  gay  ribbons,  looped  into 
tasteful  knots  at  the  end. 

Notwithstanding  the  interest  which  my  companion  and  I 
had  taken  in  this  singular  family,  we  had  not  yet  succeeded  in 
"  scraping  up  "  an  acquaintance  with  them.  We  had  got  no 
farther  than  the  exchange  of  a  "  buenos  dias  "  and  a  few  re 
marks  on  the  weather. 

"  I  hope  they  will  not  run  away  from  us  to-day,"  muttered 
Taplin,  as  we  approached  them.  "  But  they  will,  though. 
See  the  old  fellow  ! — he's  moving  already  !  " 

As  my  friend  spoke  I  could  see  the  Indian  making  a  sign 
to  his  daughters.  The  latter  rose  from  the  bank  on  which 
they  had  been  resting,  drew  their  rebozos  over  their  cheeks, 
like  a  pair  of  Persian  beauties,  and  mounting  their  donkeys, 
a  la  Duchesse  de  Berri,  rode  off. 

"  Buenos  dias,  ninas"  said  my  friend,  with  a  vexed  look 
as  they  passed. 

"  Buenos  dias>  caballeros"  was  the  reply ;  and  at  the  same 
moment  the  old  Indian  stalked  up,  saluting  me  with  a  wave 
of  his  broad  sombrero,  and  a  polite  but  significant  "  adios" 
which  seemed  to  say,  "  We  wish  no  further  conversation  at 
this  time,  gentlemen." 

The  boy,  the  remaining  donkey,  and  the  dog  followed, 
while  my  companion  and  I  turned  back  towards  the  camp — 
Taplin,  at  least,  suffering  all  the  bitterness  of  disappointment. 

But  my  friend  was  resolved  upon  deserving  success  by 
perseverance.  Again  on  the  morrow  we  set  forth  from 
camp,  directing  our  course  as  on  former  occasions.  We  fell 
into  the  main  road  and  commenced  descending.  On  nearing 


A   BRACE   OF    RUFFIAN    SOLDIERS.  369 

the  bend  where  we  were  in  the  habit  of  meeting  the  Indian 
family,  our  ears  were  assailed  with  unusual  sounds — screams 
and  shouting.  We  heard  the  bark  and  "  worrying  "  of  a  dog. 
We  ran  forward,  in  a  few  seconds  rounding  the  angle  of  the 
road.  The  Indian  and  his  family  were  before  us.  Two 
strange  men — soldiers  we  saw — had  seized  upon  the  girls, 
and  were  endeavoring  to  force  them  into  the  thicket.  One 
of  the  ruffians  battled  the  dog — the  San  Bernard — with 
his  bayonet,  while  with  his  other  hand  he  clasped  the  terrified 
and  trembling  girl.  The  boy  was  fighting  manfully  to  rescue 
his  sisters,  and  the  old  Indian  ran  frantically  over  the  road. 

My  companion  and  I  did  not  stay  to  contemplate  a  picture 
so  unexpected,  but  dashed  forward  at  once.  We  knew  the 
men  at  a  glance — two  of  the  most  disorderly  rascals  in  the 
regiment.  In  a  moment  they  were  sprawling  upon  the 
ground,  and  it  now  required  all  our  exertions  to  prevent  the 
San  Bernard  from  making  a  meal  of  them.  They  were  at 
length  secured  with  strong  cords,  which  Pepe',  the  Indian 
lad,  had  furnished  from  his  packing  gear,  handing  them  to  us 
with  a  grin  of  satisfaction. 

Now,  for  the  first  time,  my  friend  and  I  saw  the  two  girls 
fairly  unveiled.  Their  rebozos  had  been  torn  off  in  the 
struggle,  and  they  stood  before  us  in  all  their  wild,  singular 
beauty,  heightened  in  its  effect  by  the  carnation  tinge  which 
the  late  excitement  had  lent  to  their  cheeks.  Their  little 
bosoms  heaved  and  fell,  while  their  eyes  were  sparkling  with 
mixed  emotions  of  fear  and  gratitude.  We  stopped  some 
moments  to  reassure  our  new  acquaintances,  for  we  deemed 
that  we  now  had  the  title  so  to  call  them ;  and  then,  placing 
our  brace  of  ravishers  at  the  points  of  our  sabers,  prepared 
to  march  them  into  camp.  Taplin  lingered  and  looked 
back. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  I  asked,  seeing  that  something  was  troub 
ling  him. 
24 


37O  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  I  forgot  that  Indian's  son  :  he's  a  sharp  boy  that,  ot 
I'm  mightily  fooled  about  him.  I  must  give  him  a  some 
thing.  Hola,  moochacher  ?  " 

Taplin's  Spanish  was  none  of  the  best,  but  it  brought  the 
boy  with  the  others  to  a  quick  halt. 

"  Here,  moochacher  ;  take  this  " — and  he  held  up  a  fine 
spring-knife.  The  boy  came  running  back,  and  with  demon 
strations  of  gratitude  took  the  knife,  and  returned  to  the 
rest. 

"  It's  no  harm  to  make  a  friend  of  that  lad.  Who  knows 
how  soon  one  may  stand  in  need  of  a  post  ?  " 

Laughing  at  this  odd  act  of  providence  on  the  part  of  my 
friend,  we  drove  our  prisoners  before  us,  and  shortly  after 
wards  gave  them  in  charge  to  the  camp  guard. 

Next  morning,  before  the  parade-drum  had  ceased  rolling, 
we  were  far  through  the  woods,  on  our  way  to  the  scene  of 
our  yesterday's  adventure.  Taplin  bounded  forward,  his 
heart  filled  with  the  expectancy  of  a  most  gracious  recep 
tion  by  our  new  friends.  We  reached  the  bend  in  the  road 
,  where  the  trees  hung  over.  They  had  not  yet  arrived.  We 
seated  ourselves  upon  the  bank  and  waited.  We  rose  again 
(Taplin  all  the  while  very  impatient),  and  paced  the  cause 
way  up  and  down.  They  came  not.  We  loitered  until  the 
hour  of  rain,  and  still  they  came  not. 

"  What  if  they  come  no  more  ?  "  said  Taplin,  with  a  sigh. 

They  came  not  on  the  morrow,  nor  again  upon  the  mor 
row  (though  still  we  waited  and  watched). 

"  They  will  come  no  more"  said  my  friend,  while  his  coun 
tenance  exhibited  an  air  of  deep  dejection. 

This  became  our  conviction  at  length.  I  can  hardly  de 
scribe  its  effect  upon  myself,  though  from  feelings  far  apart 
from  love — much  less  can  I  picture  that  produced  upon  my 
companion.  The  circumstance  of  our  daily  "  waylaying  " 
the  old  Indian  and  his  family  was  the  only  one  connected 


A   BRACE   OF   RUFFIAN   SOLDIERS. 


371 


with  our  camp-life  at  Serena  that  possessed  the  least  interest. 
We  became  worse  ennuybed  than  ever,  and  Taplin  looked  at 
times  as  if  he  contemplated  suicide.  The  two  soldiers  did 
not  benefit  much  by  this  state  of  feeling,  on  the  occasion  of 
their  trial  by  court-martial,  which  followed  soon  after.  Their 
backs  were  well  scored  by  the  cat-o-nine-tails,  and  their  pay 
was  stopped  for  a  couple  of  months. 


Types  of  Indian  Women. 


CHAPTER   LVIII. 

A    BRACE    OF    FOOLISH    OFFICERS. 

T    is    of    no    use    going 
down  the  road  again,"  I 
said  to  my  friend,  after 
many  journeys  made  to 
no  purpose. 

"  Come    along — let    us  try  once 
more,"  answered  he. 

"  Let   us    ride,   then  :     we    can 
procure  a  couple  of  mustangs." 
"  Very  well,"  replied  Taplin. 

The  mustangs  were  soon  upon  the  spot,  and  furnished 
with  saddles  and  bridles. 

"  Up  the  road  !  "  cried  Taplin,  mounting,  and  spurring 
forward  as  if  with  a  desperate  desire  to  get  clear  of  the 
camp. 

"  We  cannot   ride  far   up  the  road,"  said   I,  closing  in. 

"  There  is  danger  beyond  Banderilla " 

"  Danger  be  d d  1     Come  on,  Hal  1 "  shouted  my  com* 

372 


A   BRACE   OF   FOOLISH    OFFICERS.  373 

rade,  stretching  his  mustang  into  a  gallop.  I  did  not  com 
prehend  why  Taplin  wished  to  go  up  the  road,  but  I  did  not 
oppose  his  inclination,  and  followed  at  his  heels,  determined 
to  offer  advice  when  my  companion  became  more  cool. 

We  soon  came  to  Banderilla.  There  is  a  posada  at  one 
end  of  the  village,  and  a  like  posada  at  the  other.  These 
posadas  were  kept  at  the  time  by  Frenchmen,  who  drove  a 
good  trade  with  the  straggling  soldiery.  Their  stock  con 
sisted  chiefly  of  whisky  and  tobacco,  both  of  the  most 
wretched  kind.  In  such  miserable  times,  however,  Taplin 
and  I  were  not  above  taking  a  glass  of  whisky ;  and,  pull 
ing  up  at  the  first  posada,  we  drank  one.  Vile  stuff  it  was 
and  went  to  our  heads  like  electric  fire. 

We  remounted,  and  galloped  on  to  posada  number  two. 
Here  we  imbibed  a  second  time.  At  this  house  they  gave 
us  a  better  article,  which  they  kept  in  order  to  seduce  the 
soldiers  beyond  the  rival  establishment.  It  was  known  as 
"  Catalan,"  a  species  of  Spanish  brandy. 

After  drinking  it,  I  left  Taplin  at  the  bar,  and  stepped  out 
look  after  our  ponies.  My  friend  soon  followed,  and  handed 
me  a  flat,  oval-shaped  bottle,  which  he  desired  me  to  carry. 
I  saw  that  it  was  filled  with  "  Catalan  " ;  at  the  same  time  I 
saw  Taplin  thrusting  the  mate  of  it  into  an  empty  holster 
upon  his  saddle. 

"  Which  way  now  ? "  I  asked,  as  we  sprang  on  horse 
back. 

"  Up  the  road  still.  Come  on,  old  boy !  Let's  make  a 
day  of  it !  " 

The  two  fiery  drinks  had  made  me  quite  as  reckless  as  my 
companion,  and  I  remember  following  him  with  the  excla 
mation  : 

"  Here's  at  you,  then  1 " 

We  had  not  heard,  certainly,  that  there  were  guerilla  corps 
in  the  neighborhood  ;  for  since  the  advance  of  the  Ameri- 


374  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

can  vanguard  these  had  gone  further  up  the  country  to 
wards  the  capital.  We  knew,  however,  that  the  peasantry 
had  been  exasperated  by  acts  of  outrage  on  the  part  of  our 
straggling  soldiers.  Several  of  the  latter  were  missing,  and 
one  or  two  had  been  murdered  upon  the  very  road  we  were 
traveling.  The  former  might  have  deserted,  and  the  latter 
had,  no  doubt,  provoked  and  merited  the  fate  that  had  be 
fallen  them.  With  these  reflections,  or  rather  without  any 
reflection  at  all,  we  rode  forward,  far  beyond  the  lines  either  of 
picket  or  patrol.  Our  hearts  were  buoyant  and  without 
fear.  I  cannot  describe  their  buoyancy.  We  felt  like  men 
fresh  escaping  from  a  prison.  For  days  we  had  looked 
abroad,  and  with  longing  eyes,  over  the  beautiful  country 
that  surrounded  our  camp.  We  dare  not  traverse  it.  Our 
dragoons  were  few,  and  we  were  unable  to  keep  the  road 
open  by  our  patrols.  We  had  gazed,  hour  after  hour,  on 
the  green  hills  and  sunny  slopes  that  girdle  the  bases  of 
the  great  Cordillera  ;  we  had  seen  the  sun  shining  on 
many  a  bright  object,  and  flinging  his  rays  into  the  smiling 
valleys  of  Jalapa  ;  but  we  dared  not  venture  into  their  shady 
dells.  In  our  breasts  had  sprung  up  that  mysterious  feel 
ing  which  has  given  rise  to  the  common  but  truthful  adage 
that  "  distance  lends  enchantment."  We  longed  to  trav 
erse  those  enchanted  regions  ;  and  now,  suddenly  realiz 
ing  that  wish,  our  hearts  beat  with  all  the  wildness  of  a  full 
and  unexpected  gratification.  Our  relations  to  the  scenes 
around  us  rendered  it  still  more  exciting.  The  denizens 
of  these  scenes  were  our  enemies — our  bitter,  vengeful  foeo. 
Every  step  we  took  was  fraught  with  danger,  and  this  knowl 
edge,  playing  upon  our  nerves,  added  to  their  wild  and  pas 
sionate  vibration. 

We  reached  San  Miguel  Soldado  (St.  Michael  the  Sol 
dier),  the  beautiful  parajt  of  the  muleteers.  We  rode  around 
the  quaint  old  church,  where  it  stands  like  a  watch-tower, 


A  BRACE  OF  FOOLISH  OFFICERS.     375 

overlooking  the  broad,  palm-covered  plains  of  the  "  tierra 
caliente"  We  entered  its  plaza. 

San  Miguel,  we  have  said,  is  a  paraje — a  halting  place 
for  muleteers.  An  atajo  had  just  arrived,  and  the  arrieros 
were  eating  chicharones  in  front  of  the  inn.  My  companion 
and  I  had  grown  hungry  ;  the  "  Catalan  "  had  sharpened 
our  appetites.  We  could  not  witness  the  operation  of  eat 
ing  without  a  desire  to  join  in  it.  We  would  dine  at  the 
fonda.  What  could  they  give  us  ? 

"  Chicharones  y  pan  "  (Bread  and  chicharones),  was  the 
answer.  We  could  get  eggs  besides,  and  chilli  peppers  to 
our  hearts'  content. 

"  Well,  let  us  have  them  all,"  cried  Taplin,  alighting  from 
his  horse. 

While  dinner  was  waited  for,  we  strolled  about  in  front 
of  the  fonda,  scanning  the  arrieros.  There  were  many  faces 
among  them  that  we  did  not  like,  and  particularly  those  of 
a  small  party  of  men  who  entered  the  town  after  us.  There 
were  five  or  six  of  these  fellows  in  all,  and  we  perceived  that 
they  kept  apart  in  one  corner  of  the  fonda,  whispering  and 
making  mysterious  signs  to  each  other.  I  thought  they  were 
not  arrieros.  Their  costume  was  somewhat  different.  It 
bespoke  men  above  the  class  of  peasants,  yet  below  that  of 
gentlemen.  They  might  be  robbers  or  guerilleros. 

I  whispered  my  suspicions  to  Taplin. 

"  Nothing  like  it — nonsense,  captain  !  They  are  some 
rancheros  who  have  ridden  into  the  town  to  buy  chocolate 
for  their  wives  and  chingarito  for  themselves.  Come  I  take 
another  *  swig  '  of  the  '  Catalan  '  before  we  start." 

"  We  shall  then  ride  back  to  camp  ?  " 

"  No :  first  let  us  ascend  that  hill.  You  see  where  the 
road  winds  up  it.  From  the  top  is  a  splendid  view,  I  war 
rant — something  worth  the  trouble  of  climbing  for.  I  like  a 
good  view." 


376  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"Lead  on,  then!" 

We  left  San  Miguel  Soldado  and  its  arrieros  behind  iiSj 
and  wound  up  the  National  Road  until  we  reached  the  sum 
mit  of  the  hill.  Not  far  from  this  the  road  enters  the  pine 
woods,  winding  through  steep  and  shady  passes  to  the 
romantic  hamlet  of  La  Hoya. 

My  comrade  was  right  in  promising  me  a  fair  pros 
pect  from  the  hill.  There  are  few  such  landscapes  on 
the  continent  of  America — few  so  interesting  in  the 
world. 

It  was  midday.  The  sun  was  in  the  zenith,  and  shining 
from  a  tropical  sky.  Below  us,  at  our  feet,  lay  the  pictur 
esque  parajd  of  San  Miguel,  its  painted  cupola  glistening 
brilliantly  under  the  full  sunbeams.  So  near  did  the  little 
church  seem  to  us,  that  it  was  difficult  to  conceive  we  had 
been  riding  from  it  for  over  an  hour.  In  the  gardens  of  the 
village,  fair  girls  were  plucking  flowers,  or  making  merry 
under  the  shadow  of  spreading  trees.  We  could  see  the 
arrieros  in  the  streets,  as  they  buckled  on  their  mule-packs, 
or  led  their  jaded  animals  to  the  long  watering-trough  in  the 
plaza.  Further  down  we  could  descry  the  turrets  and  azoteas 
of  Jalapa  cresting  the  summit  of  an  elevated  hill.  Beyond 
this,  for  forty  miles,  stretched  the  palmy  plains  of  the 
"  tierra  caliente"  a  brilliant  picture  of  green  and  gold.  The 
white  walls  of  distant  haciendas — the  red  tiled  roofs  of 
ranches — the  domes  and  spires  of  churches,  bearing  upon 
their  highest  pinnacles  the  emblem  of  the  Christian  faith — 
could  be  distinguished  far  towards  the  eastern  shores  of 
Anahuac.  Beyond  all  these  rolled  the  Mexican  Sea,  glitter 
ing  like  an  ocean  of  liquid  fire.  It  was  one  of  the  loveliest 
landscapes  I  have  ever  looked  upon.  The  day  was  favor 
able  for  viewing  it.  Perhaps  the  "  Catalan  "  added  to  its 
loveliness  by  illusion.  I  cannot  tell ;  but  I  remember  after 
wards  looking  back  on  the  same  landscape,  when  on  tho 


A   BRACE   OF   FOOLISH    OFFICERS.  377 

"  route  "  for  the  valley  of  Mexico,  and  I  received  from  it  at 
that  time  a  far  less  sublime  impression. 

I  was  sweetly  dreaming  over  the  fair  panorama,  directing 
my  eyes  towards  a  spot  that  interested  me,  when  an  exclama 
tion  from  my  comrade  interrupted  my  reverie.  I  turned,  and 
beheld  him  looking  towards  the  left,  in  an  attitude  that  be 
tokened  the  interest  he  felt  in  some  object. 

"  What  are  you  gazing  at  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Look  yonder  I  "  said  he  ;  "  do  you  see  that  odd-shaped 
building  on  the  brow  of  a  great  gulf — a  barranca,  I  believe 
they  call  it  ?  " 

«  Yes— what  of  it  ?  " 

"  That's  one  of  their  celebrated  places — the  birthplace  of 
a  great  saint,  though  only  a  baby.  You  have  heard  of  the 
'  Nino  de  Atocha  ? '  " 

I  replied  in  the  affirmative.  I  had  heard  of  the  "  Child  of 
Atocha,"  and  had  seen  pictures  and  images  of  this  remark 
able  saint  in  almost  every  Mexican  cottage  I  had  entered. 

"  Well,  that's  where  the  holy  boy  was  born.  Come  1  let 
us  go  there." 

"  Nonsense  1  "  I  replied ;  "  it's  ten  miles  from  our  road." 

"  Not  five,  captain.  Why,  I  could  almost  hit  that  queer 
old  church  with  a  bullet  from  my  pistol." 

"  But  the  risk,  my  dear  friend  ? " 

"  Risk !  there's  none.  There  ain't  a  fighting  Mexican 
nearer  than  Orizava,  where  they  are  all  collecting  around 
old  Santy.  There's  not  one  on  that  side  of  the  road,  any 
how.  Come,  captain  1  " 

I  should  have  used  further  arguments  to  dissuade  Taplin 
from  such  a  foolish  excursion,  but  I  knew  him  too  well  for 
that.  A  strange  man  he  was — the  rashest  I  ever  saw  in 
throwing  himself  into  danger,  yet,  when  once  fairly  in  it,  I 
never  knew  one  who  met  it  with  greater  coolness.  His  dar- 
ing  courage  had  won  my  admiration.  He  had  often  proved 


378  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

it.  He  had  mounted  his  horse,  shouldered  his  rifle,  and 
ridden  through  the  prairie-desert  for  hundreds  of  miles  alone. 
He  had  done  this  more  than  once.  They  who  have  read 
the  records  of  western  life  will  recognize  his  name,  and  the 
truth  of  my  assertion.  Having  once  made  up  his  mind  to  a 
deed,  nothing  could  dissuade  him  from  attempting  its  execu 
tion.  I  knew  this,  and  I  knew  it  was  idle  to  expostulate 
with  him  now. 

"  Come,  Hal,"  he  continued,  "  it's  not  far ;  besides,  it's 
almost  on  our  way.  We  can  cut  across  the  hill.  I  have 
often  wished  to  go  there.  Harkye  !  "  he  added  in  a  signifi 
cant  whisper,  "  I've  got  an  idea  that  our  old  Indian  lives 
there." 

I  knew,  from  the  manner  in  which  Taplin  said  this,  that 
he  was  resolved  to  go  ;  and  had  I  refused  to  accompany 
him,  he  would  have  ridden  off  without  me.  I  assented, 
therefore,  to  the  proposition  by  turning  my  horse's  head  in 
the  direction  pointed  out  by  my  friend. 

"  Let  us  take  a  pull  at  the  '  Catalan '  before  we  start," 
said  he,  drawing  the  green  bottle  out  of  his  holster. 

"  Agreed,"  replied  I,  imitating  him  by  uncorking  the  one 
which  I  myself  carried. 

The  liquor  was  soon  quaffed,  and,  returning  the  bottles  to 
their  places,  we  struck  into  a  narrow  bridle-road  that  seemed 
to  lead  to  the  birthplace  of  "  the  Child  of  Atocha." 


Mexican  Sugar-cane  Peddler. 


CHAPTER  LIX. 

"  THE  CHILD  OF  ATOCHA." 

E  followed  this  path  for,  I  should  think,  a 
distance  of  more   than   five   miles ;  but  the 
last  pull  at  the  "  Catalan  "  must  have  been 
"  the  rose-leaf  on  the  brimming  jar,"  for  I 
do    not    remember   much   of   the   country   we 
passed  through. 

[  can  only  recollect  that  it  was  but  little  inhab- 
i,  if  at  all.  The  road  lay  through  woods  and 
thickets,  and  the  path  was  steep  and  hilly,  appearing  to  zigzag 
more  than  any  other  I  had  ever  traveled  upon.  At  times 
our  wiry  animals  seemed  to  stand  upon  their  heads  as 
we  descended  the  sides  of  some  narrow  ravine. 

379 


380  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  We  must  be  near  it  now,"  said  Taplin,  as  we  climbed  up 
out  of  a  steep  valley.  "  Ugh  !  how  dark  it  has  grown  !  We 
are  going  to  catch  a  deluge  of  a  shower !  " 

My  companion  had  scarcely  made  the  remark  when  the 
black  cloud  that  had  been  gradually  gathering  over  the  sky 
was  split  asunder  by  electric  wedges,  and  detached  masses 
began  to  float  over  us  like  huge  birds  of  prey. 

The  thunder  rolled  above  our  heads  and  around  us,  and 
then  a  heavy  body  of  dark  vapor  commenced  moving  down 
the  sides  of  the  mountains,  as  if  on  its  way  carrying  destruc 
tion  to  the  smiling  valleys  at  our  feet. 

Bright  jets  of  flame  shot  to  and  fro,  lighting  up  the  opaque 
masses,  followed  by  loud  peals  like  the  discharges  of  a 
heavy  battery.  These  broke  upon  our  ears  at  short  inter 
vals,  rumbling  off  into  the  glens  of  the  echoing  hills. 

Another  body  of  vapor  came  floating  along,  and  the  next 
moment  we  were  enveloped  in  a  mist  that  rivalled  night  in  its 
mysterious  darkness.  My  horse  suddenly  halted,with  a  snort. 

"  Ride  on  !  ride  on  1 "  cried  Taplin,  seeing  that  I  blocked 
up  the  narrow  path. 

"  Hold  ! — for  Heaven's  sake,  pull  back  !  "  I  screamed  to 
my  companion.  "  We  are  riding  upon  the  brow  of  a  preci 
pice  !  " 

I  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  fearful  chasm  beneath  and 
directly  before  us,  into  which  we  were  spurring  our  horses ! 
But  for  the  sagacity  of  the  animals,  we  might  have  ridden  to 
death. 

"  Strike  to  the  right  1  "  cried  Taplin,  as  he  saw  an  opening 
in  that  direction. 

I  drew  my  snorting  horse  away  from  the  cliff,  and  headed 
him  to  the  right.  He  commenced  descending,  but  slowly 
and  with  instinctive  caution,  scenting  the  track  as  he  went. 

The  road  led  among  low  timber,  and  we  were  baffled  with 
the  branches. 


11  THE   CHILD   OF  ATOCHA.  381 

The  storm  now  broke  upon  us  in  all  its  fury.  There 
seemed  to  be  no  limit  to  the  rage  of  the  elements.  Rain, 
wind,  thunder,  lightning,  and  cloud  vied  with  each  other  as 
to  which  could  produce  the  most  terrific  effects.  The  broad 
leaves,  as  we  rode  under  them,  flouted  up  and  down,  and 
flapped  spitefully  in  our  faces.  The  branches  cracked  and 
broke  around  us,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  we  were 
drenched  to  our  shirts. 


Mexican  Indians  Preparing  a  Meal. 

We  were  almost  in  darkness,  still  enveloped  by  the  thick, 
opaque  volume  of  the  mist. 

After  struggling  on  for  some  time,  the  hoarse  barking  of  a 
dog  sounded  in  our  ears ;  and  our  horses,  as  if  attracted  by 
the  signal,  commenced  moving  in  that  direction. 

We  soon  cleared  the  mist,  and  on  looking  about  we  per 
ceived  that  we  were  still  on  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  but  at 


382  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

a  point  where  it  was  not  so  steep.  Along  its  base  we  could 
discern  a  thick  grove  of  tropical  trees,  and  upon  the  broad 
wet  leaves  the  sun  was  shining  until  they  glistened  like 
sheets  of  gold. 

We  had  suddenly  stepped  from  storm  to  sunshine,  though 
the  wet  and  flouted  leaves,  with  here  and  there  a  broken 
branch,  told  us  that  among  them  the  elements  had  been  at 
play. 

We  were  looking  for  a  path  to  descend  the  cliffs,  when  a 
voice  sounded  upon  our  ears : 

"  Caballeros,  bajan  por  aca ! "  (Come  down  this  way, 
gentlemen.) 

It  was  a  man's  voice.     It  reached  us  from  below. 

We  looked  in  the  direction  whence  it  came.  We  could 
distinguish  the  red  tiles  upon  the  roof  of  a  cottage ;  they 
appeared  above  the  low  trees.  The  voice  must  have  pro 
ceeded  thence,  but  we  could  see  no  one  ;  our  eyes  were  still 
weak  from  the  blaze  of  the  electric  fire. 

The  admonition  was  repeated ;  and  then,  as  if  borne  by 
some  sweet  echo,  the  words,  "  Por  aca  ! por  aca  !  "  came  ring 
ing  through  the  trees  in  the  soft,  silvery  tones  of  a  female  voice. 

We  now  looked  with  more  earnestness,  shading  our  eyes 
from  the  sunbeam,  and  amidst  the  foliage  we  began  to  dis 
tinguish  moving  objects.  We  could  perceive  the  flutlei  of 
female  dresses,  while  the  voices  kept  urging  us  to  descend. 
An  animal  rushed  across  an  open  glade  below  ;  we  recognized 
the  brown,  shaggy  coat  of  the  San  Bernard.  The  next 
moment  he  came  bounding  up  the  zigzag  path,  and  leaped 
joyfully  before  us. 

We  descended  by  the  same  road,  and  at  the  bottom  of  the 
cliff  were  met  by  the  old  Indian  and  his  family — the  objects 
of  our  wild  excursion. 

The  busy  Pepd  seized  the  bridles  of  our  horses,  and  led 
them  off  towards  the  ranche  ;  while  the  two  girls,  with  all 


"  THE   CHILD   OF  ATOCHA."  383 

the  fondness  and  familiarity  of  sisters,  ran  up  to  us,  and, 
placing  their  hands  upon  our  dripping  garments,  exclaimed  : 

"  Ah,  que  pobres  /  tan  mojadaz  1 "  (Ah,  poor  fellows  1  so 
wet,  too !) 

Led  by  our  host  and  his  daughters,  we  soon  reached  the 
ranche — a  small  structure  of  adobes,  surrounded  by  a  picket- 
like  fence  of  the  columnar  cacti.  In  front  of  this  enclosure 
we  were  met  and  welcomed  by  the  mother  of  the  family. 

Our  wet  garments  became  an  object  of  solicitude ;  but 
the  quick-witted  Pepe'  was  already  kindling  a  bunch  of  dry 
pine-knots  under  the  trees  outside  the  enclosure,  and  Taplin 
undertook  to  assist  him.  In  a  short  time  the  fire  blazed  up  ; 
and  as  the  girls,  by  a  sign  from  their  mother,  had  entered 
the  ranche,  we  drew  up  to  the  burning  fagots,  and  entered 
into  conversation  with  our  Indian  host. 

We  soon  learned  the  history  of  the  simple  old  man.  He 
lived  by  weaving  petatds  from  the  leaves  of  the  palmilla,  or 
sombrero  palm.  He  carried  them  to  the  plaza  of  Jalapa.  His 
children  assisted  him  in  his  art.  His  daughters  wove  baskets 
from  the  fibers  of  the  yucca — those  pretty  little  baskets  we 
admire  so  much  in  the  bazaars.  They  prepared  the  reeds 
with  their  own  hands,  and  stained  them  into  the  bright 
colors  of  red  and  blue  and  yellow.  They  carried  them  to 
Jalapa,  where  they  were  sold  to  the  ricos,  and  also  to  mer 
chants,  who  sent  them  beyond  the  sea. 

While  listening  to  the  old  Indian,  I  could  perceive  that 
my  friend  Taplin 's  heart  was  wholly  within  the  cottage,  upon 
the  door  of  which  his  eyes  were  steadily  fixed.  The  two 
bright  little  objects,  Pepita  and  Ana,  could  be  seen  moving 
within ;  they  were  evidently  engaged  in  culinary  operations 
I  was  struck  with  the  extreme  interest  which  my  friend 
seemed  to  take  in  their  movements. 

"  Which  of  them  do  you  admire  the  more,  Taplin  ?  "  I 
asked  jokingly. 


384  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  The  little  one,"  answered  he,  with  a  seriousness  of  man 
ner  that  quite  surprised  me. 

I  knew  it  was  the  little  one,  without  asking  the  question. 
Extremes  attract  each  other.  Taplin  himself  stood  six  feet 
in  his  boots. 

"  I  am  glad  it  is  so,"  I  replied ;  "  we  shall  not  be  rivals. 
I  admire  the  sister  more." 

"  Sister  ?  Not  to  compare,  captain  I  Look  yonder." 
And  with  a  smile  of  extreme  admiration  he  pointed  towards 
the  little  Ana,  who  at  that  moment  appeared  at  the  door  of 
the  cottage. 

"  Tell  me,  lieutenant,"  said  I,  taking  him  by  the  arm  and 
looking  him  in  the  face,  "  would  you  marry  her  ?  " 

"  To-morrow,  by  Jove  1  "  was  the  emphatic  reply. 

I  began  to  believe  that  my  friend  was  really  in  love. 
There  was  an  earnestness  in  his  manner  that  I  had  before 
observed  in  relation  to  other  matters,  and  that,  I  knew,  indi 
cated  some  resolution  already  made. 

He  was  a  man  of  just  such  a  nature  as  to  be  interested  in 
this  peculiar  way.  The  romantic  wildness  of  his  disposition 
fitted  him  for  receiving  an  impression  from  just  such  a  source, 
while  the  most  flattered  city  belle  might  have  fluttered  her 
attractions  before  him  in  vain. 

I  knew  he  was  too  honorable  to  act  otherwise  than  as  a 
gentleman  should,  and,  seeing  the  profound  impression 
which  the  little  "  poblana  "  had  made  upon  him,  I  began  to 
fear  that  our  foolish  adventure  would  terminate  in  something 
serious. 

For  myself,  I  was  but  slightly  interested — actuated  solely 
by  that  undefinable  impulse  which  I  believe  exists  in  the 
hearts  of  all  men,  and  which  impels  them  to  approach  the 
presence  of  loveliness  as  the  iron  atoms  are  drawn  around 
the  magnet ;  actuated,  too,  by  that  common  vanity  which 
impels  us  to  win,  if  we  can,  the  smiles  of  universal  beauty. 


"  THE   CHILD   OF  ATOCHA."  385 

But  my  heart  was  already  in  the  keeping  of  another,  and 
every  hour  was  fraught  with  the  sad  foreboding  that  I  might 
never  more  see  its  absent  guardian. 

As  I  stood  musing  in  this  way,  my  attention  was  suddenly 
arrested  by  the  clatter  of  hoofs  that  came  ringing  up  the 
glen.  The  next  moment  a  horseman  galloped  into  the  open 
space  in  front  of  the  ranche,  and  with  a  quick  jerk  drew  his 
horse  to  his  haunches,  halting  him. 

He  was  a  young  man,  dressed  in  the  picturesque  garb  of 
a  ranchero,  though  evidently  above  that  class  in  social  rank. 
His  horse  was  sleek  and  fiery,  his  saddle  richly  mounted, 
and  his  huge  spurs  were  of  solid  silver.  The  buttons  on 
his  jacket  and  calzoneros  were  of  the  same  material ;  and 
the  manga,  which  hung  rakishly  over  his  shoulders,  was  of 
the  finest  cloth.  He  was  not  a  mere  ranchero  :  that  could 
be  seen  at  a  glance.  Who  was  he  ?  I  whispered  this  query 
to  our  host. 

"  El  dueno  "  (The  master),  was  the  reply. 

"  Ha  !  "  muttered  Taplin  ;  "  the  master  1  "  My  friend  was 
doubtless  chagrined,  as  I  was  myself,  to  know  that  there 
was  a  master. 

"  Master  of  what  ? "  I  asked,  with  some  petulance  of 
manner. 

"  Of  the  hacienda,  senor.  Don  Juan  is  the  owner  of  all 
these  lands.  Buenos  dias,  Don  Juan  ! "  added  the  Indian, 
saluting  the  newcomer  with  a  degree  of  humility  that  vexed 
us. 

"  Buenos  dias,  viejo  "  (Good  day,  old  man),  returned  the 
other,  with  that  haughtiness  of  manner  which  showed  how 
little  he  valued  the  respect  of  his  serf. 

"  Is  the  little  Anita  within  ?  "  he  added,  passing  towards 
the  house. 

"  Si,  Don  Juan.  A  su  disposition  "  (Yes,  Don  Juan.  At 
your  service). 


386  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  I  only  wish  to  light  my  cigar  and  drink  a  glass  of  pinok." 

"  Esta  bueno — esta  bueno  "  (Very  well). 

The  stranger  had  now  reached  the  door,  where  he  com* 
municated  his  wishes  to  the  inmates  of  the  cottage.  Pres 
ently  Pepita,  the  elder  and  taller  of  the  girls,  came  out  with 
the  glass  of  the  pinole,  while  her  sister  carried  in  her  hands 
a  small  brazero  filled  with  live  coals. 

We  could  hear  Don  Juan  asking,  "  Who  are  these 
strangers  ?  "  and  the  reply  that  we  were  officers  from  the 
American  Camp  at  Serena.  Then  followed  the  expression, 
"  Carrai!  malditos  !"  while  the  young  man  struck  the  flaps 
of  his  wide  pantaloons  with  his  leathern  quirt  in  a  violent 
and  energetic  manner. 

I  looked  at  my  friend,  who,  like  myself,  had  been  watching 
every  movement  of  the  newcomer.  The  veins  of  Taplin's 
neck  were  swollen  as  the  hot  blood  boiled  upwards.  His 
cheeks  had  turned  pale,  while  the  black  circles  had  begun 
to  form  around  his  dark  fiery  eyes.  The  familiarity  which 
the  young  hacendado  seemed  to  take  with  the  girls  had  roused 
his  jealousy  ;  and  it  was  plain,  moreover,  that  the  attentions. 
of  the  Mexican  were  bestowed  chiefly  upon  the  younger 
sister. 

The  elder,  at  length  taking  the  empty  glass,  retired  within 
the  cottage,  leaving  Anita  alone  with  the  stranger,  and  still 
holding  the  brazero,  that  he  might  ignite  his  cigarrito.  As 
they  conversed  in  the  porch,  we  could  observe  their  move 
ments  minutely.  At  every  action,  on  the  part  of  the  young 
man,  that  approached  to  familiarity,  I  could  see  Taplin,  me 
chanically  as  it  were,  raise  his  hand  to  the  hilt  of  his  saber. 

"  Come  1 "  said  I — "  keep  cool,  my  friend.  The  young 
fellow  means  no  harm.  Let  him  have  his  scene  out." 

"  Harm !  "  ejaculated  my  comrade  between  his  teeth. 
«  Only  think  of  it  1  He  is  her  master  !  " 

"  No  1     He  is  simply  their  landlord." 


"  THE   CHILD  OF   ATOCHA."  387 

"  And  so — what  can  they  not  do  here  ?  Buy  them — sell 
them  for  a  bushel  of  Indian  corn  or  a  bag  of  beans !  Any' 
thing — anything  1  " 

The  young  girl  was  evidently  ill  at  ease  in  the  company 
of  the  sprig.  He,  on  the  other  hand,  seemed  to  take  pleas 
ure  in  his  bravado  courtship,  glancing  occasionally  at  us 
with  a  look  of  mock  ferocity.  When  about  to  light  his  cigar 
for  the  fifth  time,  he  bent  forward  over  the  brazero,  and 
brought  his  lips  in  contact  with  the  forehead  of  the  girl. 
The  latter  drew  back  with  an  offended  air.  I  turned  to  seize 
hold  of  Taplin.  I  was  too  late.  He  had  already  entered 
the  enclosure  with  a  single  bound ;  and,  before  I  could  inter 
pose,  he  caught  the  Mexican  by  his  manga,  and  swung  him 
like  a  child  against  the  prickly  fence  of  cactus.  The  soft 
plants  yielded  with  a  crash,  and  the  body  of  the  Mexican 
passed  out  to  the  opposite  side. 

"  Carajo  I  maldito  /"  cried  the  latter,  springing  to  his  feet 
with  a  terrified  but  spiteful  look. 

"  Take  yourself  off  now,  my  spangled  jay  bird  !  "  shouted 
Taplin,  pointing  to  the  woods.  "  Off  with  you  while  you 
have  got  the  hair  upon  your  head  !  Vamos  !  " 

The  hacendado,  seeing  the  determined  look  with  which  the 
other  approached  him,  seized  the  bridle  of  his  horse,  and, 
clambering  into  the  saddle,  disappeared  without  uttering  an 
other  word. 

The  old  Indian  was  astounded  at  seeing  his  dueno — to 
whom  he  owed  everything — thus  roughly  handled.  Poor 
old  fellow  1  I  felt  vexed  for  him,  and  disposed  to  censure 
my  friend  for  his  passionate  conduct.  But  there  was  an 
other  point  to  be  considered.  We  were  now  under  the  risk 
of  a  real  danger.  We  were  far  from  camp,  without  knowing 
one  foot  of  the  road  to  it.  We  were  both  poorly  armed ; 
our  light  parade  swords,  with  a  pistol  apiece,  were  all  the 
weapons  we  had  brought  with  us.  The  Mexican,  strongly 


388  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

exasperated  would  not  rest  until  he  had  obtained  his  re« 
venge.     He  would  be  certain  to  collect  his  peons  and  return. 

I  urged  these  facts  upon  my  comrade,  but  to  no  purpose. 
He  had  drunk  too  much  of  the  "  Catalan."  There  were  no 
guerilleros  in  the  neighborhood — that  he  had  ascertained 
from  our  host ;  and  he  did  not  fear  to  meet  scores  of  those 
unwarlike  peons.  Besides,  they  would  not  dare  to  ill-treat 
us  so  near  our  camp.  They  would  fear  a  visit  of  retaliation 
from  the  Texas  Rangers.  He  wound  up  by  assuring  the  old 
Indian  that,  if  Don  Juan  should  give  them  the  slightest 
trouble  on  our  account,  he  would  bring  his  own  company — 
a  regiment — the  whole  army  to  their  rescue.  He  would 
harry  the  country  until  he  should  catch  the  "  dueno."  Such 
is  love,  maddened  by  drink  and  jealousy. 

At  the  time  I  was  not  myself  sufficiently  rational  to  care 
much  for  consequences.  I  had  inverted  the  flat  bottle  once 
too  often  ;  and,  besides,  our  host  had  treated  us  to  a  cup  of 
mezcal — a  species  of  fiery  whisky  manufactured  from  the 
magueys — and  this  had  finished  the  job.  Though  not  a 
very  creditable  thing — I  must  confess  the  truth — neither  of 
us  was  sober  enough  for  the  circumstances  in  which  we  were 
placed.  We  were  not,  either  of  us,  drinkers  by  habit,  but 
escaping  as  we  had  done  from  our  camp-prison,  we  had  sur 
rendered  ourselves  up  to  the  natural  reaction  of  animal 
spirits.  I  can  offer  no  further  extenuation. 

****** 

I  remember  that  we  dined  sitting  cross-legged  upon  petates, 
our  host  and  his  family  waiting  upon  us,  for  they  had  eaten 
dinner  before  our  arrival.  I  remember,  after  dinner,  again 
urging  on  Taplin  the  necessity  for  taking  our  departure. 
No  1  He  would  wait  to  see  the  girls  at  their  occupation. 
He  would  like  to  take  a  lesson  in  basket-weaving ;  and  from 
this  fancy  I  in  vain  endeavored  to  divert  him.  So  we  sat 
for  hours,  watching  their  little  fingers  weaving  in  the  bright 


"  THE   CHILD   OF  ATOCHA."  389 

fibers  of  the  palmilla ;  Taplin,  all  the  while,  stretched  at  the 
feet  of  his  mistress,  entertaining  her  with  stories  of  Yankee- 
land  and  the  prairies,  and  once  in  a  while  venturing  some 
expressions  of  a  more  endearing  interest.  I  believe  now,  as 
I  thought  then,  that  the  man  really  loved  this  little  Indian 
belle — and,  moreover,  that  he  had  succeeded  in  interesting 
her.  Once  or  twice  I  saw  her  stealing  upon  him  timid  but 
fond  glances,  with  that  expression  of  confidence  and  respect 
which  weak  women  instinctively  yield  to  the  courage  that 
can  protect  and  avenge  her.  Poor  fellow !  he  never  saw  her 
again.  But  I  anticipate. 

•  •••'-»•'•''.'•.'•••."••'* 

The  red  rays,  as  they  slanted  through  the  interstices  of 
the  cacti,  admonished  us  that  the  sun  was  going  down.  We 
had  become  more  rational,  and  prepared  to  set  forth.  Our 
horses  were  led  up  by  Pepd,  who  had  volunteered  to  guide 
us  through  the  barranca — a  difficult  and  dangerous  pass 
through  which  our  road  lay. 

We  offered  money,  which  was  refused  with  much  delicacy. 
"  Presents,  then,"  thought  we ;  and,  releasing  our  fingers  of 
their  golden  circlets,  we  begged  permission  to  leave  them  as 
tokens  of  remembrance.  These  were  accepted;  and  with 
tender  adieus,  and  promises  (made  in  all  sincerity  by  one  of 
us  at  least)  to  return,  we  mounted  our  mustangs,  and  com 
menced  descending  the  valley. 


Indian  Woman  Decorating  Earthenware.         Pottery  Merchant 


CHAPTER  LX. 


THE   BARRANCA. 


E  rode  for  some  time  in 
silence,    allowing     our 
horses  to  follow  Pepe 
and    the    dog,    which 
trotted  nimbly   before  us.     The 
ravine  down  which  we  traveled 
was  fast  shadowing  into  darkness. 
The  approach  of  sable  night  has 

a  gloomy  effect  on  the  wildest  adventurers.     My  comrade 
was  silent  and  abstracted.     He  rode  some  time  in  the  rear. 
After  we  had  journeyed  a  mile  or  so  in  this  way,  he  spurred 
up  alongside,  with  the  exclamation  : 
"  Here,  Hal !  " 

"  Well  ?  "  I   inquired,  seeing  he  was  about  to  unburden 
himself. 

"  I  think  I  have  done  wrong  in  meddling  with  that  nigger. 
It  may  get  them  into  trouble." 
3SP 


THE   BARRANCA.  391 

"  Has  that  occurred  to  you  only  now  ?  " 

"  By  Thunder  1  if  it  does,"  added  he,  gritting  his  teeth, 
"  I  shall  know  it,  too.  The  boy  has  promised  to  come  to 
camp,  and  often.  We  shall  hear  all  that  passes,  and  if  the 
• Ha  !  " 

I  turned  in  my  saddle  to  discover  the  cause  of  this  last 
exclamation,  which  was  uttered  in  a  sharp,  excited  tone. 
Taplin  was  holding  up  the  flap  of  his  left  holster,  which  had 
contained  his  pistol.  The  holster  was  empty  1 

"  Good  Heavens  1  "  I  exclaimed,  hastily  raising  my  own ; 
"  our  pistols  are  gone  1  " 

We  looked  at  each  other,  without  expressing  by  words 
what  each  knew  the  other  understood — that  we  were  in  danger. 
Our  pistols  had  been  stolen,  and  by  whom  ?  We  called 
Pepe*.  The  boy  knew  nothing  of  them.  Had  he  seen  them 
at  all  ?  No.  Had  he  looked  into  the  holsters,  and  when  ? 
Yes,  just  after  our  arrival,  and  previous  to  the  appearance 
of  Don  Juan.  And  what  did  they  contain  ? — "  Dosbotellas — 
nada  mas  "  (Two  bottles — nothing  more). 

"  When  did  you  notice  them  last,  Hal  ?  "  asked  my  com 
rade. 

"  Not  since "  A  thought  struck  me.  "  Now  I  know 

where  the  pistols  are  gone.  You  remember  those  ill-looking 
fellows  at  San  Miguel  ?  They  have  taken  them  while  we 
were  eating  our  chicharones  in  the  fonda." 

"  Precisely  so  :  that  is  where  we  lost  them — fools  that  we 
have  been  1  still,  it  is  better  than  if  they  had  been  stolen 
from  us  at  the  ranche.  It  looks  less  like  present  danger." 

"  True  enough ;  nevertheless,  we  had  better  be  on  our 
guard." 

"  On  our  guard  1  and  with  what  ?  We  have  nothing  left 
but  these  skewers,  and  they  are  handy  enough  for  all  the 
good  they  may  do  us.  The  devil  take  that  *  Catalan*  1  " 

The  road  now  entered  a  deep  gorge  in  the  hills,  through 


392  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

which  a  torrent  was  dashing,  brown  and  swollen  with  the 
late  rain.  The  path  lay  along  the  stream,  but  gradually  ris 
ing  above  the  level  of  its  bed,  until  the  hissing,  roaring 
water  was  heard  far  beneath — a  hundred  toises  beneath — 
and  apparently  under  our  very  feet.  The  path  itself  seemed 
to  have  been  carved  out  of  the  face  of  the  cliff :  for  high 
overhead  rose  frowning,  precipitous  walls,  jaggy  and  naked, 
except  where  from  seams  and  fissures  hung  branches  of 
stunted  cedar  or  clusters  of  the  thorny  cacti.  Below  the 
road  the  trees  were  more  numerous  and  larger,  straggling  out 
horizontally  from  the  rocks,  down  to  the  margin  of  the  stream. 

The  road  was  Mexican  in  all  its  characteristics,  and  could 
be  traveled  by  no  animal  less  sure-footed  than  a  mule  or  a 
mustang,  either  of  which  can  rival  a  cat  in  climbing.  Here 
and  there  huge  masses  of  amygdaloid  had  fallen  from  the 
overhanging  cliff,  and  rested  upon  the  path  in  such  a  manner 
that,  apparently,  the  strength  of  a  child  could  have  toppled 
them  over.  Around  and  over  these  it  was  necessary  for  us 
to  clamber,  sometimes  squeezing  ourselves  through  a  crack 
hardly  big  enough  to  admit  the  bodies  of  our  mustangs. 
We  were  lacerated,  too,  by  the  wild  magueys,  whose  long, 
serrated  leaves,  straggling  across  the  path,  hooked  into  our 
clothes,  and  almost  dragged  us  out  of  our  seats.  This  was 
the  barranca  about  which  our  Indian  host  had  cautioned  us, 
and  he  had  not  exaggerated  its  fearful  reality.  I  have  seen 
many  such  places,  but  none,  to  the  best  of  my  memory,  that 
looked  wilder  or  more  gloomy  than  this.  It  was  called,  in 
the  language  of  the  country,  "  Puerto  del Infarno"  "  The  Gate 
of  Hades  1 "  and  well  did  it  seem  to  merit  the  appellation. 

As  if  to  add  to  the  desolation  around  us,  the  moon  became 
suddenly  obscured ;  and,  just  as  we  were  fairly  within  the 
jaws  of  the  chasm,  the  storm  recommenced  in  all  its  fury. 
The  wind  whistled  in  our  faces  and  roared  along  the  cliff. 
The  shadowy  pines  rocked  and  cracked  under  the  blast,  and 


THE    BARRANCA.  393 

the  cold  rain  came  pouring  down  in  pailfuls.  The  thunder 
seemed  to  burst  forth  from  the  caverned  cliffs  under  oui 
feet ;  and  the  electric  blazes,  almost  continual,  lighted  up 
the  scene  with  a  fearful  distinctness. 

We  kept  on — it  was  no  use  halting  in  a  spot  so  exposed 
to  the  tempest — guided  by  the  boy,  who  leaped  from  rock  to 
rock  with  the  nimbleness  of  a  goat.  He  carried  his  shining 
hat  in  his  hand,  and  we  could  perceive  it  glistening  like  a 
meteor  before  us  as  he  waved  us  onward.  We  could  hear 
him,  too,  far  above  the  thunder,  in  his  sharp  voice  warning 
us  against  any  place  of  peculiar  danger.  This  wild  boy 
seemed  to  exult  in  his  office,  and  to  be  at  home  in  the  midst 
of  its  perils.  As  he  leaped  and  danced  over  the  ledges  in 
front  of  us,  with  his  dark,  animated  features — his  long  hair 
streaming  in  the  wind — his  garb,  like  himself,  strange  and 
wild — at  the  same  time  screaming  back  in  his  shrill  Aztecan 
voice — he  seemed  to  be  part  of  the  storm  itself — one  of  its 
demons.  The  dog  kept  on  at  his  heels,  following  the  per 
ilous  track  with  more  seeming  difficulty  than  the  boy  himself. 

As  though  the  storm  had  been  sent  specially  to  annoy  us 
while  we  were  passing  the  barranca,  it  commenced  lulling 
away  as  we  debouched  on  the  other  side. 

We  could  not  now  be  far  from  camp  ;  but  the  darkness  was 
opaque,  and  we  descended  the  rough  road  but  slowly.  The 
lightning  grew  less  frequent  and  less  vivid.  By  the  hoarse 
roaring  of  the  torrent,  which  now  sounded  in  our  ears,  we 
knew  we  were  again  approaching  the  bottom  of  the  valley. 

This  we  soon  reached,  striking  the  bank  of  the  stream, 
along  which  the  road  trended  for  some  distance  downward. 
Here  the  timber  was  heavy,  and  the  branches  locked  over 
head,  adding  darkness  and  gloom  to  the  night.  The  road, 
too,  was  smooth  and  clayey,  and  our  horses  slipped  and 
sprawled  as  we  went. 

Once  or  twice,   as  the  lightning  flashed,   I  thought  I 


394  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

noticed  horse-tracks  in  the  mud.  Taplin,  too,  had  observed 
them,  and  sat  in  his  saddle,  bent  and  waiting  for  the  next 
flash,  that  he  might  examine  them  more  minutely.  It  came 
— a  vivid  and  protracted  blaze  ;  and  before  it  had  darkened 
again  the  voice  of  my  companion  struck  on  my  ear,  exclaim 
ing  : 

"  Fresh,  by  Jupiter  !  and  thick  as  sheep-feet  1  " 

"  You  think  they  are  fresh  ?  " 

"  I  am  sure  of  it — since  the  rain.  There  again  ! — look  I 
The  mud  hasn't  settled  yet.  They  have  passed  within  five 
minutes.  Fifty,  if  there's  one  !  Look  there  1  We're  in 
for  it,  comrade  !  " 

"  Hush  1 "  said  I ;  "  speak  low.  They  can't  be  far  ahead 
of  us." 

As  I  whispered  this  admonition,  the  dog,  which,  along 
with  Pepe',  was  crawling  through  the  mud  close  to  our  horses' 
heads,  began  to  run  round  and  whimper.  Then,  with  a 
fierce  growl,  he  dashed  forward  into  the  underwood,  and 
commenced  barking  loudly.  I  heard  my  comrade's  voice 
shouting  hurriedly  : 

"  By  thunder  !  we're  among  them  1  Dismount,  Hal,  and 
take  to  the  bushes — it's  our  only  chance  !  Come  ! " 

I  heard  him,  at  the  same  instant,  come  down  with  a  heavy 
plash,  as  he  vaulted  from  his  horse. 

I  was  preparing  to  follow  his  example  when  a  wild  yell 
rang  in  my  ears  ;  a  heavy  object  dropped  behind  me  on  the 
croup,  a  pair  of  strong  arms  encircled  me,  and  I  was  held 
as  if  in  the  embrace  of  a  bear !  My  animal,  frightened, 
sprang  forward — then  stopped,  endeavoring  to  rear  upwards, 
as  though  some  one  held  him  by  the  bit. 

I  struggled  to  free  myself  from  my  powerful  antagonist. 
We  rolled  together  to  the  ground.  Several  others  flung 
their  bodies  upon  me.  I  was  overpowered  and  bound  ! 

The  lightning  flashed.     The  road  was  filled  with  men — 


THE    BARRANCA.  395 

savage-looking  men.  They  were  yelling  and  brandishing 
their  naked  weapons,  that  glistened  in  the  blue  blaze. 

The  lightning  flashed  again.  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  my 
comrade,  with  a  number  of  men  around  him.  He  was  lying 
in  the  mud.  I  thought  there  was  blood  upon  his  face.  I 
thought  he  was  dead ! 

"  Taplin  1 "  I  shouted  with  all  my  strength,  so  as  to  be 
heard  above  the  din. 

"  Well,  old  fellow  1  How  are  you  off  for  ropes  ?  "  was  the 
reply. 

"  Thank  Goodness  1 "  I  exclaimed.  "  Not  yet,  then.  He 
lives  1  " 

At  the  same  time,  I  could  not  help  wondering  at  the  fear 
ful  coolness  of  this  man,  jesting  under  such  circumstances. 

The  confusion  now  began  to  subside.  Our  captors  had 
nearly  yelled  themselves  hoarse.  One,  who  appeared  to 
be  their  leader,  ordered  silence,  and  issued  some  directions 
in  an  undertone.  I  was  seized  by  a  number  of  men — so 
was  my  companion — and  dragged  back  to  an  opening  in  the 
woods,  where  a  large  number  of  horses  were  tied  to  the  trees. 

"  Fuego  / "  cried  the  man  in  authority ;  and  in  a  few 
seconds  dry  sticks  were  collected  into  a  pile  and  set  on  fire. 

As  the  blaze  brightened  we  looked  around  upon  our  foes. 
At  the  first  glance  I  recognized  the  brilliant  habiliments  of 
the  hacendado,  Don  Juan,  who  stood  apart,  conversing  with 
him  who  acted  as  leader.  The  others  were  no  peons — that 
was  plain.  They  were  all  armed  and  equipped,  though  each 
of  them  differently  from  his  companion,  and  most  of  them 
rudely.  Their  horses  carried  escopettes  strapped  to  the  sad 
dles,  and  many  of  them  were  mounted  with  military  holsters. 

We  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a  new  guerilla ;  and  on 
scanning  their  faces  more  closely  I  easily  recognized  some  of 
the  ill-favored  physiognomies  we  had  noticed  at  San  Miguel 
in  the  morning.  But  what  caused  my  comrade  and  myseli 


396  THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 

to  open  our  eyes  wider  than  ever  was  the  appearance  in 
front  of  the  fire  of  two  men  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  our 
own  regiment. 

"  More  prisoners  !  "  thought  we. 

We  were  speedily  disembarrassed  of  the  thought,  when 
one  of  the  men  took  a  lighted  brand  from  the  fire,  and,  com 
ing  towards  us,  exclaimed : 

"  Let's  see  who  the  divil  yez  arr,  anyhow." 

"  Lanty  of  my  company  !  "  muttered  Taplin,  as  they  ap 
proached.  "Oh,  the  infamous  scoundrel  1  " 

"  Vogel  of  mine ;  that  villainous  Prussian  ! "  And  the 
next  moment  the  would-be  ravishers  stood  over  us. 

We  were  soon  recognized,  and  with  joy  on  the  part  of  the 
deserters. 

"  Och  1  blood-an'-ouns  !  "  began  the  Irishman,  slowly 
measuring  his  words  ;  "  Mis — ther  Tap — lin,  is  it  there  ye 
arr  ?  Mis — ther  Lif — tin — ant  Taplin,  is  it  there  ye  are  ? 
Och  !  " 

"  Was  !  "  cried  the  Prussian,  addressing  me  in  his  guttural 
grunt,  that  sounded  like  the  voice  of  some  demon  of  the 
Hartz — "  Was  !  mein  lieber  If  err t  sind  Sie  es  !  Mein  Gott,  it 
ishgoot!" 

"  Och  1  Misther  Taplin,"  continued  the  Irishman,  still 
apostrophizing  my  companion,  "  wud  yez  jist  ordher  me  to 
be  gagged  and  '  bucked/  or  sintince  me  to  thirty-nine  on 
the  bare  back,  well  laid  on,  for  givin'  ye  this  nate  little  salute 
acrass  yer  purty  face  ?  "  And  so  saying,  the  deserter  struck 
his  officer  over  the  cheek  with  his  open  palm. 

The  blow  was  not  a  heavy  one.  It  was  intended  more  to 
give  insult  than  bodily  pain,  and  it  certainly  had  the  desired 
effect.  Taplin's  eyes  appeared  as,  if  they  would  leap  out  of 
their  sockets.  His  whole  frame  quivered  with  emotion; 
though  he  made  no  reply,  knowing  that  that  would  only 
provoke  further  insult. 


THE    BARRANCA.  397 

The  German,  who  was  equally  spiteful  in  his  inclinations 
towards  me,  bent  over  me,  as  I  supposed,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  similar  demonstration. 

I  was  mistaken.  He  had  stronger  passions  than  revenge 
to  gratify.  After  glancing  cautiously  around,  to  see  whether 
any  one  observed  him,  he  caught  hold  of  the  chain  attached 
to  my  gold  repeater  ;  and  with  an  adroit  jerk,  that  showed  he 
was  no  novice  at  the  business,  drew  the  watch  from  its  fob. 
Then  snapping  the  guard  asunder,  he  stealthily  deposited 
the  spoil  under  his  own  jacket.  Lanty  had  noticed  the  ac 
tion,  and  speedily,  though  more  clumsily,  performed  a  similar 
pantomime  over  my  comrade. 

Several  of  the  guerilleros  had  by  this  time  gathered 
around  us,  curious  to  witness  the  interview  between  the  de 
serters  and  their  prisoners.  By  these  gentry  we  were  im 
mediately  relieved  of  our  loose  silver ;  and  our  swords,  belts, 
and  spurs  were  unbuckled,  and  appropriated  by  our  captors. 

We  now  thought  they  had  finished  robbing  us,  as  they 
had  completely  stripped  us  of  our  trimmings ;  but  we  rea 
soned  erroneously. 

"  By  Jaysus,  Vogel !  "  said  Lanty,  turning  to  the  German, 
and  pointing  to  the  latter's  ragged  uniform,  "  it's  yerself 
that's  not  too  finely  drissed.  That's  a  nate  coat  of  the  kyap- 
tin's.  Wuditfitye?" 

"  Gott  verdamme  mich  ! — dat  ish  goot  idea,"  replied  the 
other. 

"  I'm  not  in  castume  for  a  tay-party  meself ;  but,  with 
Misther  Taplin's  lave,  I  hope  to  make  a  betther  apparence 
directly.  The  liftinant's  just  my  size  to  an  inch." 

Here  Vogel  made  a  sign,  pointing  towards  the  leader  of 
the  guerilla. 

"  Oh  yis,"  assented  the  Irishman,  with  a  nod.  "  We'll  ax 
him ;  but  we  must  first  obtane  the  '  consint  of  the  officers/ 
you  know." 


398  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

This  last  was  said  in  an  ironical  imitation  of  camp 
phraseology. 

"Ja—ja  !•  "  responded  the  German. 

"  Do  the  thing  dacent  and  sodger-like.  Well,  Misther 
Taplin,  well  yez  swap  ayqual,  or  div  ye  want  boot  ?  I  can 
recommind  this  unyform.  It's  owld,  and  has  seen  sarvice. 
as  ye  persave ;  but  it's  mighty  cool  for  this  hot  climate. 
Them  tails  only  hampers  ye.  The  jacket'll  be  a  hape 
handier  among  the  chapparals,  de  ye  see  ?  Now,  phwat  div 
yez  say  to  the  swap  ?  " 

Of  course  there  was  no  reply. 

"  Silence  gives  consint ;  he  agrays  to  it.  Now,  Vogel, 
it's  your  turn  to  thrade  with  the  kyaptin." 

Vogel,  thus  appealed  to,  addressed  himself  to  me,  going 
through  a  somewhat  similar  formula,  but  in  a  barbarous 
mixture  of  language  that  no  one  on  the  ground  understood 
except  himself.  This  being  concluded,  and  my  "  consint  " 
having  of  course  been  obtained,  the  Irishman  left  us,  and 
walked  towards  the  leader  of  the  guerilleros,  who,  with  the 
hacendado  and  two  or  three  others,  still  stood  apart  con 
versing. 

I  could  see  the  deserter  pointing  to  us  as  he  addressed 
them.  He  and  his  comrade  might  justly  claim  the  favor 
he  was  asking,  for  to  their  strength  (they  were  both  power 
ful  men)  the  guerilleros  were  mainly  indebted  for  our  easy 
capture.  We  thought,  at  the  time,  there  had  been  some 
thing  more  than  Mexican  arms  around  us  in  the  struggle  on 
the  road. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  man  returned,  and,  assisted  by 
Vogel  and  several  Mexicans,  commenced  stripping  us.  Our 
hands  were  first  untied.  Then  our  coats — blue  undress 
frocks  they  were — were  pulled  off.  The  filthy  tattered 
jackets  of  the  deserters  were  drawn  upon  our  arms.  We 
made  no  resistance  to  this,  as  it  was  cold,  and  we  knew,  if 


THE   BARRANCA.  399 

;J  we  objected  to  wearing  the  jackets,  they  would  leave  us  in 
our  shirts.  Our  wrists  were  rebound  and  our  ankles  set 
free.  Then  the  pantaloons  (and  even  our  boots  and  stock 
ings)  were  stripped  off,  and  replaced  by  the  coarse,  ragged 
overalls  of  Vogel  and  the  Irishman.  Our  stocks  and  forage 
caps  were  snatched  away,  and  we  were  left  bareheaded — 
barefooted,  too ;  for,  although  our  boots  were  too  small  for 
the  deserters,  two  of  the  Mexicans  (who  are  a  small-footed 
race)  appropriated  them,  without  giving  us  theirs  in  ex 
change. 

In  a  few  minutes  Lanty  and  Vogel  were  dressed  up  in  our 
despoiled  habiliments,  vaporing  over  the  ground  in  a 
tragic  gait,  and  addressing  each  other  as  "  Kyaptin  Vogel," 
and  "  Liftinant  Lanty."  This  they  did  to  the  great  amuse 
ment  of  the  guerilleros. 

The  leader  of  the  band,  with  the  hacendado,  had  now 
drawn  near  us.  I  could  hear  a  portion  of  their  conversation. 
I  learned  that  the  guerilla  did  not  belong  to  the  neighbor 
hood,  but  was  a  spy-party  that  had  been  sent  by  Santa  Anna 
from  Orizava.  They  had  arrived  that  morning,  and  it  was 
their  advance  we  had  met  in  San  Miguel.  After  the  occur 
rence  at  the  ranche,  Don  Juan  had  come  across  them,  and, 
gladly  availing  himself  of  the  opportunity  for  revenge,  led 
them  on  our  track. 

I  found  out,  moreover,  that  it  was  their  design  to  take  us 
to  San  Andres  Chalcomulco.  Here  the  leader  expected  to 
meet  Santa  Anna,  on  his  way  from  Orizava  to  La  Puebla. 

All  at  once  the  attention  of  the  spy  chief  was  attracted  to 
the  strutting  deserters  ;  and,  whispering  some  words  to  Don 
Juan,  he  beckoned  them  to  follow  him  to  the  other  side  of 
the  glade.  The  men  obeyed,  and  walked  after  him.  An 
earnest  conversation  followed.  The  Irishman  could  speak 
Spanish.  He  was  a  deserter  from  the  Anglo-Canadian  army, 
and  had  formerly  served  in  Spain  in  Evans's  legion. 


400 


THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 


After  awhile  it  became  evident  that  some  plan  had  been 
matured.  Lanty  and  Vogel  were  brought  up  to  the  light  of 
the  fire.  Their  dresses  were  inspected.  Our  swords  (which 
had  been  appropriated  by  others  of  the  spies)  were  taken 
from  them  and  buckled  upon  the  deserters.  Our  horses 
were  led  forth,  and  upon  these  the  metamorphosed  soldiers 
were  mounted  and  rode  off  in  the  direction  of  the  American 
camp! 

My  comrade  and  I  were  then  taken  up,  and  tightly  corded 
upon  a  pair  of  saddled  mules. 

A  few  notes  of  a  bugle  summoned  the  stragglers,  and  the 
next  moment  we  were  moving  in  single  file  back  through  the 
barranca. 


Indians  Excavating  a  Canoe  with  Fire.    Old  Spanish  Engraving. 


CHAPTER  LXI. 


A  DEATH-STRUGGLE. 


HETHER  it  was  that  we  were 
now  more  reckless  of  conse 
quences,  the  backward  journey 
through  this  fearful  pass  seemed 
far  less  difficult  and  dangerous.  The 
storm  was  not  raging  to  baffle  us,  it 
was  now  pitchy  dark,  the  lightning  only 
flashing  at  intervals ;  but  the  animals  all  followed  some 
guide,  who  was,  doubtless,  well  acquainted  with  the  path. 

On  the  side  nearest  the  ranch,  and  about  a  mile  from  the 
latter,  there  was  a  road  crossing  the  one  upon  which  we 
traveled.  One  fork  of  this  road  led  to  the  hacienda  of 
Don  Juan,  about  three  miles  distant.  The  other  traversed 
the  hills,  debouching  at  San  Miguel  Soldado.  They  were 
•6  401 


402  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

only  bridle-roads  at  best,  and  bordered  on  both  sides  by 
woods  and  chapparal.  Here  our  captors  halted,  and  we 
heard  the  following  dialogue  : 

"  You  will  not  go  to  my  house,  then,  captain  ? " 

The  question  was  put  by  the  young  hacendado,  and  ad 
dressed  to  the  spy-chief. 

"  I  thank  you,  Don  Juan :  it  would  be  too  much  out  of 
my  way.  The  old  ranche  here  will  cover  most  of  us,  and  a 
night  in  the  woods  is  no  new  thing.  The  general  may  leave 
Orizava  to  morrow,  and  I  must  meet  him  in  San  Andres. 
His  movements  may  depend  on  what  these  fellows " 

Here  the  speaker's  voice  sank  to  a  whisper,  and  we  could 
not  catch  the  remainder  of  the  sentence. 

"  Very  well,"  cried  the  other,  spurring  his  horse  forward. 
"  I  shall  send  you  some  refreshment  as  soon  as  possible. 
Va  con  Dios,  y  mueran  los  Yankees ! "  (God  be  with  you, 
and  death  to  the  Yankees  ! ) 

And  amidst  the  "vivas"  of  the  troop  at  this  patriotic 
ebullition,  the  young  man  wheeled  into  the  cross-road  and 
galloped  off. 

Near  the  crossing  was  a  deserted  and  half-ruined  rancho, 
almost  buried  in  the  underwood.  On  approaching  this  the 
guerilleros  dismounted,  the  chief,  with  several  others,  going 
into  the  house.  My  comrade  and  myself  were  waiting  to  be 
taken  inside.  We  expected  our  captors  to  accommodate  us 
with  the  hospitality  of  a  roof,  less  with  a  view  to  our  comfort 
than  for  our  safe  keeping.  To  our  surprise,  this  idea  did 
not  seem  to  strike  them.  We  were  thrown  upon  the  ground 
in  an  open  spot  in  front.  We  were  firmly  tied,  however, 
hands  and  heels  ;  and  watched  by  a  couple  of  sleepless-look 
ing  ruffians,  who  walked  in  circles  round  us,  with  their  car 
bines  thrown  carelessly  over  their  arms.  Our  enemies  had 
no  apprehensions  of  our  making  any  attempt  to  escape. 

The  horses  of  the  guerilla  were  picketed  all  around  us, 


A   DEATH-STRUGGLE.  403 

cheir  long  lariats  enabling  them  to  crop  the  grass  up  to  the 
spot  where  we  lay. 

We  were  placed  upon  our  backs,  and  remained  for  some 
time  in  this  position  without  conversing.  We  watched  the 
thick  clouds  as  they  floated  in  masses  along  the  lead-colored 
sky,  at  intervals  illlumined  by  a  vivid  flash. 

After  awhile  several  men  arrived  with  mules  and  pan 
niers,  carrying  provisions.  These  last  were  taken  within  the 
ranche,  and  shortly  after  we  could  hear  the  guerilleros  feast 
ing  and  making  merry.  A  bottle  of  aguardiente  had  reached 
the  hands  of  our  two  guards,  and  they  passed  it  from  one  to 
the  other  with  a  degree  of  frequency  that  soon  began  to 
render  them,  as  we  thought,  less  watchful.  But  it  mattered 
little.  We  had  writhed  and  twisted  until  our  wrists  were 
peeled  with  our  vain  exertions.  Our  fastenings  were  thongs 
of  raw  hide,  and  these  had  been  tied  by  Mexicans.  We  found 
that  we  could  neither  stretch  a  knot  nor  untwist  a  single 
strand,  and  we  gave  it  up  in  despair. 

"  How  easily  we  might  do  it,  but  for  these  accursed 
ropes  1 "  muttered  Taplin,  as  he  wrenched  and  struggled  to 
no  purpose. 

Since  our  capture  we  had  seen  nothing  of  the  Indian  boy. 
He  had  not  appeared  in  the  glade,  nor  on  the  road.  What 
had  become  of  him  ?  Now,  for  the  first  time,  it  occurred  to 
me  that  the  boy  had  betrayed  us. 

Taplin  endeavored  to  combat  the  suspicion.  He  alleged 
his  previous  friendly  conduct  to  himself.  Moreover,  the 
boy  had  told  him  of  ill-feeling  which  he  himself  bore  towards 
the  hacendado,  who  on  some  occasion  had  given  him  the 
whip.  To  suspect  him  was  a  painful  thought  to  my  com 
rade,  who  had  taken  a  liking  for  the  lad,  partly  on  account 
of  his  eccentric  peculiarities,  but  more,  I  should  think,  from 
the  accident  of  his  relationship  to  the  little  Anita. 

"  I  can't  think  it,"  said  he,  after  a  long  silence,  in  which 


404  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

he  had  been  considering  every  feature  of  the  case.  "  No ; 
the  boy  would  not  have  taken  the  dog  along,  had  he  in 
tended  to  betray  us.  Poor  brute  !  it  warned  us,  though  too 
late  it  was.  No  ;  the  lad's  all  right.  He  was  frightened, 
and  ran  back  home.'* 

I  could  not  admit  the  foi :  e  of  my  friend's  argument  in 
favor  of  our  late  guide.  His  strange  and  eccentric  behavior 
along  the  route,  his  present  mysterious  absence,  and  (now 
occurring  to  our  minds)  the  unexplained  disappearance  of 
the  pistols,  all  combined  to  convince  me  that  the  Indian  had 
"  sold  "  us. 

I  was  about  declaring  my  conviction  to  my  friend  when 
I  felt  a  damp,  cold  object  touch  me  on  the  cheek.  I  started, 
and,  half  raising  myself  upon  my  elbow,  looked  round  to 
discover  the  cause. 

It  was  nearly  pitch  dark,  but  I  could  see  a  shadowy  form 
move  off  and  stoop  over  the  head  of  my  companion,  who  lay 
several  feet  from  me.  He,  too,  startled  as  I  had  been,  raised 
himself  to  look  up,  uttering  the  involuntary  interrogation : 

"  What  the  mischief  was  that  ?  " 

A  low  whimper  answered  the  question.  It  was  the 
dog! 

The  animal  again  returned  to  me,  placing  his  nose  to  my 
face  as  before,  and  wagging  his  bushy  tail  in  token  of  friend 
ship.  I  addressed  him  by  name,  but  in  a  whisper,  as  an 
indefinite  thought  that  moment  crossed  my  mind  that  the 
boy  might  be  near ;  and  I  felt  a  sudden  but  equally  indefi 
nite  hope. 

I  cautioned  Taplin  to  keep  still.  The  electric  light 
gleamed,  and  to  my  surprise  I  noticed  that  the  dog  held  a 
shining  object  between  his  teeth.  I  saw  it  distinctly.  It 
was  a  knife — the  one  that  Taplin  had  given  to  the  lad ! 

My  comrade  had  observed  it  at  the  same  time,  and  ejacu 
lated  rashly : 


A   DEATH-STRUGGLE.  405 

"  Hurrah  I  the  dog's  got  my  old  knife  1  " 

"  Hush  1  "  I  repeated. 

The  animal  ran  back  to  Taplin,  and  then  returned  to  me 
again.  He  seemed  to  wonder  why  we  lay  so  still. 

I  had  by  this  time  fathomed  the  design  for  which  he  had 
been  sent.  Poor  brute  1  he  knew  nothing  of  it.  I  was  rilled 
with  wonder  at  the  cunning  artifice,  but  that  was  no  time  to 
express  it.  As  he  held  up  his  nose  I  seized  the  projecting 
point  of  the  knife — it  was  the  blade,  which  was  open — in 
my  teeth,!and  held  firmly.  Only  for  a  moment.  The  animal, 
perceiving  my  intention  to  rob  him  of  the  weapon,  plucked 
it  away,  slightly  wounding  my  lip ;  and  then,  as  if  angry,  ran 
off,  disappearing  in  the  darkness. 

"  What  a  pity  1  "  ejaculated  Taplin,  who  had  rolled  nearer, 
and  witnessed  the  failure. 

We  had  hardly  time  to  exchange  our  regrets  when  the 
dog  reappeared,  but  the  knife  was  gone.  No  !  //  was  hang 
ing  from  his  neck  ! 

This  time  he  ran  first  to  my  comrade,  who  attempted  to 
seize  the  weapon  with  his  teeth,  but  was  unsuccessful,  as  the 
dog  had  grown  shy  and  playful. 

"  Ho,  perrito  !     Loro,  ho  !  " 

I  whispered  these  words  in  an  endearing  tone  of  voice. 
He  closed  nearer  and  nearer,  until,  with  a  desperate  stretch, 
I  succeeded  in  getting  the  string  between  my  teeth,  deter 
mined  to  hold  it  though  it  should  drag  them  out.  The 
thong  broke,  and  the  knife  fell  upon  the  grass,  directly 
under  my  face. 

"  Scold  off  the  dog  1 "  I  whispered ;  and  at  the  word 
"  Afuera  !  "  uttered  in  a  tone  of  anger,  the  animal  galloped 
away  to  those  who  had  sent  him. 

During  all  this  scene  our  sentries,  who  had  flung  them 
selves  on  the  ground  at  a  few  paces'  distance,  were  busy 
with  their  bottle  and  sandwiches,  and  had  not  thought  of  us 


406  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  If  they  will  only  give  us  five  minutes  more  !  "  I  whis 
pered  to  my  companion.  "  Shift  yourself  a  little  more  this 
way ;  turn  your  back  upward — so,  so." 

We  were  tied  with  our  hands  behind  our  backs,  and  Df 
course  could  only  relieve  one  another.  My  companion,  as 
I  had  desired  him,  turned  over  and  lay  upon  his  face.  I 
rested  my  chin  upon  his  back,  having  already  caught  the 
blade  of  the  knife  between  my  teeth,  holding  it  edge  out 
ward.  I  then  brought  the  edge  in  contact  with  the  raw  hide, 
and  commenced  moving  my  head  horizontally  backward  and 
forward,  sawing  the  thongs. 

After  a  few  vibrations  my  ear  was  gratified  by  the  "  snig  " 
of  the  parting  cord.  I  had  cut  the  right  turn,  upon  which 
was  the  knot,  and  after  a  wrench  or  two  my  comrade's  hands 
were  free.  A  score  of  seconds  sufficed  to  make  the  re 
mainder  of  our  fastenings  fly  off,  though  we  operated  silently 
and  with  caution. 

It  now  remained  for  us  to  reach  the  thicket,  which  was 
not  twenty  yards  from  us  ;  and  we  waited  for  the  next  flash, 
so  that  we  might  have  the  whole  of  the  dark  interval  that 
followed. 

Our  two  guards  had  been  joined  by  a  third,  who  had 
brought  them  a  fresh  bottle  of  aguardiente;  and  the  three 
sat  together  on  the  grass,  drinking  and  talking  merrily. 

The  lightning  gleamed  again.  It  was  our  cue ;  and, 
crawling  like  a  pair  of  gigantic  lizards,  we  succeeded  in 
getting  behind  some  horses,  where  we  lay,  with  beating 
hearts,  to  wait  for  another  blaze. 

This  came  at  length,  and,  rising  to  our  feet,  we  ran  lightly 
to  the  edge  of  the  chapparal.  The  dog  bounded  forward  to 
meet  us,  and  the  next  moment  I  saw  my  companion  lift 
some  one  in  his  arms,  whom  he  kissed  with  the  wildness  of  a 
maniac.  It  was  Pepe* — that  strange,  wild  boy,  to  whose 
cunning  we  were  indebted  for  our  escape. 


A   DEATH-STRUGGLE.  407 

There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  We  must  get  through  the 
pass  again  before  our  pursuit  commenced.  We  needed  our 
guide  no  longer;  we  now  knew  the  way  through  the  bar 
ranca,  and  beyond  it  we  were  near  the  village  of  Banderilla. 
If  pursued,  we  could  hide  in  the  bushes,  favored  by  the 
darkness  of  the  night.  The  dog  might  betray  us  in  such  a 
case.  We  would  be  better  alone. 

With  these  considerations,  we  dismissed  the  lad,  who, 
taking  the  San  Bernard  along  with  him,  returned  on  the  road 
that  led  to  the  ranche.  We,  on  the  other  hand,  crept 
stealthily,  but  with  haste,  along  the  path  leading  to  the  bar 
ranca. 

We  soon  entered  the  gloomy  gorge,  and  commenced  climb 
ing  up.  All  around  us  was  darkness  and  silence,  for  the 
storm  had  lulled  to  the  dead  calm.  Still,  there  was  light 
at  intervals  to  illuminate  the  terrible  features  of  the  chasm. 

The  lightning  still  played  through  the  black  masses  over 
head,  but  without  the  usual  accompaniment  of  thunder.  This 
is  a  common  occurrence  in  the  atmosphere  of  the  tropics. 
The  blazing  fluid  at  times  covered  the  whole  country,  light 
ing  the  world  with  a  brilliancy  that  rivaled  the  sun  ;  and 
the  next  instant  every  object  was  hidden  in  the  obscurity  of 
an  amorphous  darkness. 

Through  this  we  groped  and  crept  onward  up  the  pass. 
It  was  the  third  time  for  us  on  that  same  night,  and  we  had 
become  acquainted  with  the  difficulties  of  the  track.  When 
uncertain  how  to  proceed,  we  halted  and  waited  for  the  next 
flash  of  lightning. 

Advancing  in  this  way,  we  had  reached  the  highest  point 
of  the  road,  where  it  runs  over  a  ledge  of  the  precipice.  Here 
the  path  is  narrow,  in  consequence  of  rocks  having  fallen 
upon  the  ledge.  The  road  abuts  over  the  stream,  and  an 
object  dropped  from  above  would  fall  directly  into  the  water. 
Below  us,  at  least  a  thousand  feet,  the  torrent  foamed 


408  THE    RIFLE   RANGERS. 

and  seethed,  and  the  "  sough "  sounded  like  the  voice  of 
some  distant  waterfall.  When  the  lightning  lit  up  this  hell- 
like  chasm,  we  felt  giddy  and  irresolute  ;  for  the  path  before 
us,  as  it  wound  along  the  ledge,  seemed  suspended  in  the 
air. 

We  were  barefoot,  and  perhaps  this  was  better  for  us. 
It  enabled  us  to  take  a  firmer  hold,  though  our  feet  were 
scarred  and  cut  by  the  sharp  rocks.  Taplin  was  fore 
most. 

Just  then  I  thought  I  heard  voices,  and  stopped  for  a 
moment  to  listen.  It  might  be  the  pursuers  upon  our  track. 
I  listened  attentively,  but  could  not  hear  them  again.  It 
must  have  been  the  water  talking  below  us,  and  with  this 
conviction  I  hastened  after  my  companion.  There  was 
a  small  platform  where  the  road  turned  sharp  round  the 
cliff.  I  remembered  entering  it  when  we  passed  in  the 
early  part  of  the  night.  It  might  have  been  three  or  four 
yards  wide  and  was  formed  by  an  indentation  in  the  cliff, 
where  some  mass  of  rock  had  given  way  and  fallen  down 
ward.  Taplin  had  ascended  this  platform,  and  was  stand 
ing  upon  it  to  await  me.  I  saw  his  tall  figure  outlined 
against  the  sky  as  I  climbed  up.  I  noticed  that  he  stooped 
suddenly,  placing  himself  in  the  attitude  of  one  listen 
ing. 

"  Do  you  hear  anything  ?  "  I  asked,  as  I  came  alongside. 

"  Hush  1  hush  !  listen  !  By  the  Lord  1  it  is — hish — sh — 
sh  1  "  And,  holding  each  other  by  the  arm,  we  backed  in 
silently  under  the  shadow  of  the  projecting  cliff. 

There  were  voices.  There  was  the  stroke  of  a  horse's 
hoof  ;  and  the  next  moment  two  horsemen  rode  up  on  the 
ledge  and  halted.  We  could  see  them  but  indistinctly ;  and 
in  the  uncertain  darkness  they  loomed  against  the  sky  like 
mounted  giants.  Who  could  they  be  ?  They  were  not  our 
pursuers.  They  had  come  from  the  opposite  direction— 


A   DEATH-STRUGGLE.  409 

that  in  which  we  were  going.  Who  could  they  be  ?  The 
lightning 

"  Ha  1  villains !  renegades  !  "  shouted  Taplin,  springing  for 
ward — "  now  we  shall  see " 

The  blaze  of  pistols  followed  the  flashing  of  the  lightning, 
and  I  could  see  both  the  horsemen  fling  themselves  from 
their  saddles  at  once.  The  horses  turned  and  ran  off  the 
ledge,  leaving  the  ground  clear  for  our  double  combat.  I 
saw  Taplin  grappling  with  one  adversary.  I  sprang  upon 
the  other.  A  sword  gleamed  in  my  eyes.  I  caught  the 
blade  in  my  hands  and  broke  it.  The  German  oath  that 
followed  told  me  who  was  my  antagonist.  We  clutched  and 
rolled  over  on  the  ledge.  We  were  both  without  arms  ;  and 
it  was  now  a  contest  of  strength — who  could  pitch  the  other 
over  the  cliff  1  The  fearful  fate  that  threatened  the  weaker 
nerved  both  of  us  to  desperation,  and  we  struggled  upon  the 
brink,  griping  each  other  like  madmen.  We  rose  to  our  feet 
again,  were  about  closing  for  another  death-wrestle,  when 
my  antagonist,  seemingly  struck  with  a  sudden  fear,  shied  to 
one  side,  and,  leaping  down  from  the  platform,  disappeared 
in  the  darkness. 

Glad  to  get  rid  of  him  on  these  terms,  I  did  not  attempt 
to  follow,  but  prepared  to  assist  my  comrade,  who  during 
all  this  time  had  been  engaged  in  a  similar  conflict  with  the 
Irishman.  As  I  turned  suddenly  round,  the  blue  flash  of 
the  lightning  illumined  a  picture  that  sent  the  blood  rushing 
through  my  heart.  On  the  extreme  edge  of  the  precipice 
were  the  two  uniformed  figures — the  soldier  and  his  officer. 
The  latter  was  hanging  almost  horizontally  over  the  brink, 
while  his  adversary,  firmly  planted,  seemed  in  the  act  of 
shaking  him  from  his  last  hold.  Before  the  sky  darkened 
again  I  saw  the  tattered  rags  give  way — a  wild  scream  echoed 
along  the  cliff — Taplin  was  hurled  into  eternity  I 

I  sprang  forward  with  a  shout  of  vengeance. 


410  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Villain  !  you  shall  follow  him  1  "  I  cried,  grasping  the 
soldier  by  the  throat  and  jacket,  and  dragging  him  with  all 
my  strength  towards  the  edge  of  the  platform. 

"  What  1  holloa  !  hold  on,  Hal  1     Confound   it,  man  1  it's 


"  Good  Heavens  —  Taplin  !  "  I  exclaimed,  relaxing  my 
hold,  and  falling  to  my  knees  in  a  species  of  paralysis. 

It  was  my  friend  himself  that  stood  before  me,  and  the 
deserter  who  had  been  hurled  over  the  precipice  1  /  had 
forgotten  the  late  exchange  of  our  uniforms. 

*  #  *  #  #  # 

We  found  our  horses  in  the  woods  below,  and,  mounting 
them,  rode  hastily  to  the  camp,  which  we  reached  shortly 
after  midnight. 

Next  morning's  reveille  awoke  our  regiment  to  the  "  route," 
and  by  noon  of  that  day  we  were  climbing  the  mountain 
road  to  the  plains  of  Perote*. 

Poor  Taplin  1  —  his  sword  waved  foremost  in  many  a  fight, 
till  it  waved  over  his  glorious  grave  on  the  red  field  of 
Molino  del  Rey. 


City  of  Mexico.    Killing  off  supernumerary  Dogs, 


CHAPTER  LXII. 

AN    ADIOS. 

HORTLY  after  the  adventure  of  Taplin  and 
myself,  the  Rifle  Rangers  were  ordered 
back  to  Jalapa.  Clayley  had  now  recovered, 
and  I  once  more  enjoyed  the  society  of  my 
light-hearted  friend.  But  neither  that  nor  the 
smiles  of  the  hospitable  Jalapenas  could  make 
me  happy.  My  thoughts  dwelt  upon  Guadalupe> 
and  often  was  I  harassed  with  the  painful  appre 
hension  that  I  should  never  see  her  again.  Better  fortune, 
however,  was  in  store  for  me. 

One  day  Clayley  and  I  were  sitting  over  our  wine,  along 
with  a  gay  party  of  friends,  in  the  Fonda  de  Diligencias,  the 

4" 


412  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

principal  hotel  of  Jalapa,  when  Jack  touched  me  on  the 
shoulder,  and  whispered  in  my  ear  : 

"  Captain,  there's  a  Mexican  wants  to  see  ye." 

"  Who  is  it  ?  "  I  demanded,  somewhat  annoyed  at  the  in 
terruption. 

"It's  the  brother,"  replied  Jack,  still  speaking  in  a 
whisper. 

«  The  brother  1     What  brother  ?  " 

"  Of  the  young  ladies,  captain." 

I  started  from  my  chair,  overturning  a  decanter  and 
several  glasses. 

"  Hilloa  1  what's  the  matter  ?  "  shouted  several  voices  in 
a  breath. 

"  Gentlemen,  will  you  excuse  me  ?  —  one  moment  only  —  I 


"  Certainly  I  certainly  1  "  cried  my  companions,  all  at 
once,  wondering  what  was  the  matter. 

The  next  moment  I  was  in  the  antesala^  embracing 
Narcisso. 

"  And  so  you  are  all  here.     When  did  you  arrive  ?  " 

"  Yesterday,  captain.  I  came  to  town  for  you,  but  could 
not  find  you." 

"  And  they  are  well  ?  —  all  well  ?  " 

"  Yes,  captain.  Papa  expects  you  will  come  this  evening, 
with  the  lieutenant  and  the  other  officer." 

"  The  other  officer  I     Who,  Narcisso  ?  " 

"  I  think  he  was  with  you  on  your  first  visit  to  La  Virgen 
^  —  un  senor  gordo" 

"  Oh  !  the  major  !  Yes,  yes,  we  shall  come  ;  but  where 
have  you  been  since  we  met,  Narcissito  ?  " 

"  To  Orizava.  Papa  has  a  tobacco  farm  near  Orizava  ; 
he  always  goes  to  it  when  he  comes  up  here.  But,  captain, 
we  were  so  astonished  to  hear  from  your  people  that  you 
had  been  a  prisoner,  and  traveling  along  with  us  I  W0 


AN   ADIOS.  413 

knew  the  guerillos  had  some  American  prisoners,  but  we 
never  dreamt  of  its  being  you.  Carambo  !  if  I  had  known 
that  1  " 

"  But  how  came  you,  Narcisso,  to  be  with  the  guerilla  ?  " 

"  Oh !  papa  had  many  things  to  carry  up  the  country ; 
and  he,  with  some  other  families,  paid  Colonel  Cenobio  for 
an  escort — the  country  is  so  full  of  robbers." 

"  Ah  !  sure.     Tell  me,  Narcisso,  how  came  I  by  this  ? " 

"  I  held  out  the  dagger. 

"  I  know  not,  captain.  I  am  ashamed  to  tell  you  that  I 
lost  it  the  day  after  you  gave  it  me." 

"  Oh  !  never  mind.  Take  it  again,  and  say  to  your  papa 
I  shall  come,  and  bring  "el senor  gordo  "  along  with  me." 

"  You  will  know  the  way,  captain.  Yonder  is  our  house." 
And  the  lad  pointed  to  the  white  turrets  of  an  aristocratic- 
looking  mansion  that  appeared  over  the  tree-tops,  about  a 
mile  distant  from  the  town. 

"  I  shall  easily  find  it." 

"  Adieu,  then,  captain,  we  shall  be  impatient  until  you 
arrive — hasta  la  tarde  /  " 

So  saying,  the  youth  departed. 

I  communicated  to  Clayley  the  cause  of  my  temporary 
withdrawal ;  and,  seizing  the  earliest  opportunity,  we  left  our 
companions  over  their  cups. 

It  was  now  near  sundown,  and  we  were  about  to  jump 
into  our  saddles,  when  I  recollected  my  promise  to  bring  the 
major.  Clayley  proposed  leaving  him  behind  and  planning 
an  apology  ;  but  a  hint  thai  he^might  be  useful  in  "  keeping 
off  "  Don  Cosine*  and  the  sefiora  caused  the  lieutenant  sud 
denly  to  change  his  tactics,  and  we  set  out  for  Blossom's 
quarters. 

"  We  had  no  difficulty  in  persuading  "  el senor  gordo"  to 
accompany  us,  as  soon  as  he  ascertained  where  we  were 
going.  He  had  never  ceased  to  remember  that  dinner.  Her* 


414 


THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 


cules  was  brought  out  and  saddled,  and  we  all  three  galloped 
off  for  the  mansion  of  our  friends. 

After  passing  under  the  shadows  of  green  trees,  and 
through  copses  filled  with  bright  flowers,  we  arrived  at  the 
house,  one  of  the  fairest  mansions  it  had  ever  been  our  for 
tune  to  enter.  We  were  just  in  time  to  enjoy  the  soft  twilight 
of  an  eternal  spring — of  a  landscape  siempre  verde  ;  and, 


City  of  Mexico.    Scene  during  the  Carnival— Street  Theatricals. 

what  was  more  to  the  major's  mind,  in  time  for  a  supper 
that  rivaled  the  well-remembered  dinner. 

As  I  had  anticipated,  the  major  proved  exceedingly  useful 
during  the  visit.  In  his  capacity  of  quartermaster,  he  had 
already  picked  up  a  little  Spanish — enough  to  hold  Don 
Cosine*  in  check  over  the  wine  ;  while  Clayley  and  myself, 
with  "  Lupd  "  and  "  Luz,"  walked  out  into  the  veranda  to 
"take  a  peep  at  the  moon."  Her  light  was  alluring,  and  we 
could  not  resist  the  temptation  of  a  stroll  through  the  gardens. 


AN   ADIOS.  415 

It  was  celestial  night ;  and  we  dallied  along  dos  y  dos, 
under  the  pictured  shadows  of  the  orange-trees,  and  sat 
upon  curiously  formed  benches,  and  gazed  upon  the  moon, 
and  listened  to  the  soft  notes  of  the  tropic  night-birds. 

The  perils  of  the  past  were  all  forgotten,  and  the  perils  of 
the  future — we  thought  not  of  them. 

It  was  late  when  we  said  "  buenas  noches  "  to  our  friends, 
and  we  parted  with  a  mutual  "  hasta  la  manana"  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  we  kept  our  promise  in  the  morning, 
and  made  another  for  the  following  morning,  and  kept  that, 
too  ;  and  so  on  till  the  awful  bugle  summoned  us  once  more 
to  the  "  route." 

The  detail  of  our  actions  during  these  days  would  have 
no  interest  for  the  reader,  though  to  us  the  most  interesting 
part  of  our  lives.  There  was  a  sameness — a  monotony — it 
is  true ;  but  a  monotony  that  both  my  friend  and  myself 
could  have  endured  forever. 

I  do  not  even  remember  the  details.  All  I  can  remember 
is,  that,  on  the  eve  of  our  march,  I  found  myself  "  cornering  " 
Don  Cosmd,  and  telling  him  plainly,  to  his  teeth,  that  I 
meant  to  marry  one  of  his  daughters  ;  and  that  my  friend — 
who  had  not  yet  learnt  the  "  lingo,"  and  had  duly  com 
missioned  me  as  his  "  go-between  " — would  be  most  happy 
to  take  the  other  off  his  hands. 

I  remember  very  well,  too,  Don  Cosmo's  reply,  which  was 
given  with  a  half-smile,  half-grin — somewhat  cold,  though 
not  disagreeable  in  its  expression.  It  was  thus : 

"  Captain — when  the  war  is  over.11 

Don  Cosme  had  no  intention  that  his  daughters  should 
become  widows  before  they  had  fairly  been  wives. 

And  we  bade  adieu  once  more  to  the  light  of  love,  and 
walked  in  the  shadow  of  war ;  and  we  toiled  up  to  the  high 
tables  of  the  Andes,  and  crossed  the  burning  plains  of 
Perot^ ;  and  we  forded  the  cold  streams  of  Rio  Frio,  and 


416 


THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 


climbed  the  snowy  spurs  of  Popocatepec ;  and,  after  many 
a  toilsome  march,  our  bayonets  bristled  along  the  borders 
of  the  Lake  Tezcoco.  Here  we  fought — a  death-struggle, 
too, — for  we  knew  there  was  no  retreat.  But  our  struggle 
was  crowned  with  victory,  and  the  starry  flag  waved  over 
the  ancient  city  of  the  Aztecs. 

Neither  my  friend  nor  myself  escaped  unhurt.     We  were 


shot 


City  of  Mexico.    Studio  of  a  Spanish  Artist. 
all  over  " ;  but,  fortunately,  no  bones    were  broken, 


and  neither  of  us  was  converted  into  a  cripple. 

And  then  came  the  "  piping  times  of  peace  "  ;  and  Clayley 
and  I  spent  our  days  in  riding  out  upon  the  Jalapa  road, 
watching  for  that  great  old  family  carriage,  which,  it  had 
been  promised,  should  come. 

And  it  came  rumbling  along  at  length,   drawn  by  twelve 


AN   ADIOS.  417 

mules,  and  deposited  its  precious  load  in  a  palace  in  the  Calle 
Capuchinas. 

And  shortly  after,  two  officers  in  shining  uniforms  entered 
the  portals  of  that  same  palace,  sent  up  their  cards,  and 
were  admitted  on  the  instant.  Ah !  these  were  rare  times  ! 
But  rarer  still — for  it  should  only  occur  once  in  a  man's 
lifetime — was  an  hour  spent  in  the  little  chapel  of  San 

Bernardo. 

*  *  *  *  *  # 

There  is  a  convent — Santa  Catarina — the  richest  in 
Mexico  ;  the  richest,  perhaps,  in  the  world.  There  are  nuns 
there — beautiful  creatures — who  possess  property  (some  of 
them  being  worth  a  million  of  dollars)  ;  and  yet  these  chil 
dren  of  heaven  never  look  upon  the  face  of  man  1 

About  a  week  after  my  visit  to  San  Bernardo,  I  was 
summoned  to  the  convent,  and  permitted — a  rare  privilege 
for  one  of  my  sex — to  enter  its  sacred  precincts.  It  was  a 
painful  scene.  Poor  "  Mary  of  Mercy  "  !  How  lovely  she 
looked  in  her  snow-white  vestments  ! — lovelier  in  her  sorrow 
than  I  had  ever  seen  her  before.  May  God  pour  out  the 
balm  of  oblivion  into  the  heart  of  this  erring  but  repentant 

angel ! 

*  *  #  #  *  # 

I  returned  to  New  Orleans  in  the  latter  part  of  1848.  I 
was  walking  one  morning  along  the  Levee,  with  a  fair  com 
panion  on  my  arm,  when  a  well-known  voice  struck  on  my 
ear,  exclaiming : 

"  I'll  be  dog-goned,  Rowl,  if  it  ain't  the  cap'n  !  " 

I  turned,  and  beheld  Raoul  and  the  hunter.  They  had 
doffed  the  regimentals,  and  were  preparing  to  "  start "  on  a 
trapping  expedition  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

I  need  not  describe  our  mutual  pleasure  at  meeting,  which 
was  more  than  shared  by  my  wife,  who  had  often  made  me 
detail  to  her  the  exploits  of  my  comrades.  I  inquired  for 
9 


4l8  THE    RIFtE    RANGERS. 

Chane.  The  Irishman,  at  the  breaking  up  of  the  "  war- 
troops,"  had  entered  one  of  the  old  regiments,  and  was  at 
this  time,  as  Lincoln  expressed  it,  "  the  first  sargint  of  a 
kump'ny." 

I  could  not  permit  my  old  ranging  comrades  to  depart 
without  a  souvenir.  My  companion  drew  off  a  pair  of  rings, 
and  presented  one  to  each  on  the  spot.  The  Frenchman, 
with  the  gallantry  of  a  Frenchman,  drew  his  upon  his  finger ; 
but  Lincoln,  after  trying  to  do  the  same,  declared,  with  a 
comical  grin,  that  he  couldn't  "  git  the  eend  of  his  wipin' 
stick  inter  it."  He  wrapped  it  up  carefully,  however,  and 
deposited  it  in  his  bullet-pouch. 

My  friends  accompanied  us  to  our  hotel,  where  I  found 
them  more  appropriate  presents  than  the  rings.  To  Raoul 
I  gave  my  revolving  pistols,  not  expecting  to  have  any 
further  use  for  them  myself ;  and  to  the  hunter,  that  which 
he  valued  more  than  any  other  earthly  object,  the  major's 
"  Dutch  gun."  Doubtless,  ere  this,  the  zi'mdnadel  has  slain 
many  a  "  grisly  b'ar,"  among  the  wild  ravines  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

A  few  days  after  I  had  a  visit  from  Major  Twing,  who, 
with  Hillis  and  others  of  my  old  comrades,  was  on  his  way 
to  the  frontier  garrisons  of  Texas.  From  him  I  learned 
that  Blossom,  on  account  of  his  gallant  behavior  in  the 
affair  at  La  Virgen,  had  received  the  brevet  of  a  colonel, 
and  was  now  employed  in  the  department  at  Washington. 

Courteous  reader!  I  was  about  to  write  the  word  "  adieu," 
when  "  Little  Jack  "  handed  me  a  letter,  bearing  the  Vera 
Cruz  post-mark.  It  was  dated,  "  La  Virgen,  November  i, 
1849."  It  concluded  as  follows  : 

"  You  were  a  fool  for  leaving  Mexico,  and  you'll  never  be 
half  as  happy  anywhere  else  as  I  am  here.  You  would 
hardly  know  the  "  ranche  " — I  mean  the  fields.  I  have 
cleared  off  the  weeds,  and  expect  next  year  to  take  a  couple 


AN  ADIOS.  419 

of  hundred  bales  off  the  ground.  I  believe  I  can  raise  as 
good  cotton  here  as  in  Louisiana  ;  besides,  I  have  a  little 
corner  for  vanilla.  It  would  do  your  heart  good  to  see  the 
improvements  ;  and  little  Luz,  too,  takes  such  an  interest  in 
all  I  do.  Haller,  I'm  the  happiest  man  in  creation. 

"  I  dined  yesterday  with  our  old  friend  Cenobio  ;  and  you 
should  have  seen  him  when  I  told  him  the  man  he  had  in 
his  company.  I  thought  he  would  have  split  his  sides. 
He's  a  perfect  old  trump  this  Cenobio,  notwithstanding  his 
smuggling  propensities. 

"  By  the  way,  you  have  heard,  I  suppose,  that  our  '  other 
old  friend,'  the  padre,  has  been  shot.  He  took  part  with 
Paredes  against  the  Government.  They  caught  him  at  Quere- 
taro,  and  shot  him  with  a  dozen  or  so  of  his  '  beauties  *  in 
less  than  a  squirrel's  jump. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  Haller,  a  last  word.  We  all  want 
you  to  come  back.  The  house  at  Jalapa  is  ready  for  you, 
and  Dona  Joaquina  says  it  is  yours,  and  SHE  wants  you  to 
come  back. 

"  Don  Cosme,  too — with  whom  it  appears  Lup£  was  the 
favorite — HE  wants  you  to  come  back.  Old  Cenobio,  who 
is  still  puzzled  about  how  you  got  the  knife  to  cut  through 
the  adobes,  HE  wants  you  to  come  back.  Luz  is  fretting 
after  Lupe,  and  SHE  wants  you  to  come  back.  And,  last  of 
all,  /want  you  to  come  back.  So  '  stand  not  on  the  order1 
of  your  coming,  but  come  at  once. 

"  Yours  forever, 

"  EDWARD  CLAYLEY." 

Reader,  do  you  want  me  to  come  back  ?  * 

*  I  am  happy  to  say  that  the  reader  has  long  since  kindly  answered 
this  question  in  the  affirmative. — AUTHOR. 

1853. 


NOTES. 


"  The  land  of  Anahuac" — Page  5.]  (Pronounced  Anna-hwaiuk.} 
The  ancient  name  of  Mexico.  Both  Spanish  and  Mexican  writers  fre 
quently  make  use  of  this  name  when  speaking  poetically  of  the  country. 

"  Varied  is  the  aspect  of  that  picture-land  " — Page  6.]  No  country  on 
the  face  of  the  earth  is  more  varied  in  its  aspect  than  Mexico.  Its  sur 
face  is  a  constantly-changing  panorama  of  hill,  mountain,  valley,  and 
plain;  and  you  have  before  you,  at  different  periods  of  your  journey, 
ihefara  of  the  different  zones.  Sometimes  you  may  behold  that  of  all 
three  at  a  single  glance.  Perhaps  no  country  is  better  entitled  to  the 
poetical  appellation  of  "  picture-land." 

"  *  Rolling'  landscapes." — Page  6.]  The  term  "  rolling,"  as  applied  to 
the  surface  of  a  country,  is,  I  believe,  American.  It  is  used  to  designate 
a  peculiar  geological  formation,  common  throughout  the  American  con 
tinent.  It  is  not  exactly  what  would  be  termed  a  "  hilly  country"  but 
one  whose  surface  consists  of  parallel  and  rounded  ridges.  "  These 
undulations  remind  one  of  the  ocean  after  a  mighty  storm,  when  the 
crisped  foam  has  died  upon  the  waves  and  the  big  swell  comes  bowling 
in.  They  look  as  though  they  had  once  been  such  waves,  that  by  an 
omnipotent  mandate  had  been  suddenly  transformed  to  earth  and  stood 
still !  " — Scalp-hunters.  Prairies  of  this  peculiar  formation  are  termed 
"  rolling  prairies." 

"Jornada." — Page  7.]  Jornada  (pronounced  hornada]  means  a  jour 
ney.  The  Jornada  de  caballo  (journey  on  horseback)  and  the  Jornada  de 
atajo  (journey  with  a  mule-train)  are  different — the  latter,  of  course5 
being  much  shorter  than  the  former.  It  is  possible  in  a  single  Jornada 
de  caballo  to  pass  through  all  the  scenes  described  in  the  first  chapter 

of  this  book. 

• 

"  Pescador" — Page  7.]     Pescador — fisherman. 

"  Polacca." — Page  7.]  Small  vessels  of  "  polacca  "  rig — that  is,  with 
masts  all  in  one  piece — are  very  common  throughout  all  the  seas  of 
Spanish  America.  They  present  a  beautiful  appearance  when  thus 

42! 


422  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

rigged,  the  eye  being  pleased  with  the  unbroken  line  of  the  tall  and 
tapering  masts. 

"Piragua" — Page  7.]  Piraguas  (pronounced  fieerawgwas)  are  small, 
sloop-rigged  vessels,  in  use  among  the  West  Indies  and  along  the  coasts 
of  the  Gulf.  They  are  used  in  the  coasting  trade,  carrying  fruit,  fish, 
etc.  They  may  be  seen  also  on  the  Lower  Mississippi  and  the  bayous 
of  Louisiana,  among  the  French  Creoles  of  those  parts.  They  are  there 
termed  "  pirogues." 

"  A  foreign  flag." — Page  7.]  Alluding  to  the  English  mail-steamer. 
Mexico  has  no  steam  navy — in  fact,  few  ships  of  any  kind.  Her  two 
war-steamers,  Guadahipe  and  Moctezuma,  during  the  late  war  took 
shelter  in  the  harbor  of  Havana  to  avoid  being  captured  by  the  Amer 
ican  fleet.  They  were  sold  at  this  period  (to  the  Spanish  Government, 
I  believe). 

"  Principal  port '." — Page  7.]  Vera  Cruz  is  the  principal  seaport  of 
Mexico  ;  but  withal  its  commerce  is  very  insignificant  when  compared 
with  that  of  Liverpool,  New  Orleans,  or  any  of  the  great  English  or 
American  ports. 

"Slightly-formed,  cadaverous  men" — Page  7.]  Supposing  them  to  be 
Mexicans,  this  character  is  just.  The  "  men  "  of  Mexico,  but  partic 
ularly  those  who  dwell  in  the  towns,  are  small  and  bilious-looking.  The 
women  present  a  better  appearance,  and,  in  general,  are  fine-looking 
creatures.  It  was  a  common  saying  among  the  officers  of  the  American 
army  that  the  "  women  of  Mexico  were  the  best  men  of  the  country." 

Sometimes,  on  the  landing  of  the  mail-steamer  at  Vera  Cruz,  a  few 
fresh-colored,  robust  forms,  in  caps  and  tweed  shooting-jackets,  may  be 
seen  to  step  ashore.  These  gentry  are  "  John  Bulls,"  however,  many 
of  whom  have  established  themselves  in  the  country,  and,  along  with 
the  French,  manage  both  its  mines  and  its  commerce. 

"  Snow-drift." — Page  8.]  This  sand-hill  formation  is  not  peculiar  to 
Mexico,  but  there  is,  perhaps,  more  of  it  to  be  found  along  the  Gulf 
coast  than  elsewhere. 

"  Coup-de-soleil." — Page  9.]  The  "  coup-de-soleil "  (sun-stroke)  often 
occurred  to  the  soldiers  of  the  American  army  while  campaigning  in 
Mexico,  as  it  is  now  occurring  to  those  of  the  English  force  at  Rangoon. 
Quite  a  large  number  of  both  men  and  officers  fell  victims  to  this  sud 
den  and  terrible  visitation  of  the  climate.  \ 

"  Norte." — Page  9.]  The  "  norte"  literally  "  north  wind,"  but  more 
often  a  tempest,  prevails  at  certain  seasons  along  the  coast  of  the  Mex 
ican  Gulf.  It  is  called  "  norther  "  by  the  Texans  and  the  seamen.  It 


NOTES.  423 

is  much  dreaded  by  the  skippers  of  those  seas — the  more  so  as  the  in 
hospitable  coast  of  Mexico  presents  so  few  points  where  ships  can  find 
either  shelter  or  anchorage.  The  "  norther,''  as  its  name  implies,  blows 
from  the  north,  and  carries  with  it  an  icy  coldness,  which,  it  is  said, 
favors  the  yellow  fever,  or  vomito prieto  (black  vomit),  as  the  Spaniards 
call  it. 

"  Almost  harborless" — Page  9.]  There  are  but  few  harbors  along  the 
shores  of  the  Mexican  Gulf  that  admit  large  vessels.  In  fact,  there  are 
few  of  any  sort,  either  on  the  Atlantic  or  Pacific  side  of  Mexico.  It 
would  seem  as  if  Nature  had  not  designed  that  this  country  should  be 
the  seat  of  a  great  commerce. 

"  Gigantic  llianas" — Page  10.]  There  is  no  feature  of  the  tropical 
forest  more  striking  than  the  huge  parasitical  plants.  They  are  often 
seen  of  more  than  a  foot  in  diameter,  like  great  trees  of  themselves,  and 
reaching,  sometimes  horizontally,  sometimes  diagonally,  across  the  vista 
of  your  path.  The  dark  iron-color  and  corrugated  bark  of  these  mon 
ster  vines  give  them  a  singular  appearance  ;  but  it  is  impossible  for  the 
traveler  to  view  them  winding  around  the  tree  trunk  without  being 
struck  with  their  resemblance  to  great  serpents. 

"Bamboo-briers." — Page  10.]  Many  species  of  large  briers  (smilax) 
are  found  in  the  Mexican  underwoods. 

"  Scarlet  vine" — Page  10.]  So  called  from  its  beautiful  red  blossoms. 
It  is  not  uncommon  to  see  large  trees  completely  covered  with  the 
foliage  of  this  vine,  and  these  again  hidden  by  its  flowers,  looking  like 
an  immense  pyramid  of  scarlet  blossoms. 

"  Bignonia" — Page  10.]  The  beautiful  trumpet-shaped  corollas  of  this 
vine  are  the  favorite  resort  of  the  humming-birds,  which  often  disappear 
within  the  flowers  while  feeding  upon  them. 

"  The  palma  real" — Page  n.]  Palma  real — the  royal  palm  (attalea) — 
is  one  of  the  tallest  and  most  beautiful  of  the  palm  tribe.  It  is,  I  be 
lieve,  the  same  as  is  known  by  the  name  "  Palmyra  palm,"  though  in 
Spanish  America  it  is  termed  palma  real.  It  frequently  grows  to  the 
height  of  a  hundred  feet ;  and,  strangely  enough,  a  very  small  species  of 
palm,  called  by  the  Spanish  Americans  "  cana  de  la  India  "  (Indian 
cane),  is  always  found  growing  near  to  it. 

"  Corozo" — Page  n.]  Another  beautiful  species  of  Mexican  palm. 
Under  the  leaves  the  fruit  is  produced,  and  consists  of  a  nut  about  the 
size  of  a  walnut,  and,  like  the  latter,  encased  in  a  pulpy  substance. 
This  substance  is  gummy  and  fibrous,  and  adheres  to  the  shell  with 


424  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

much  tenacity.  The  nuts  of  the  corozo  grow  in  immense  clusters,  after 
the  manner  of  grapes  ;  and,  hanging  down  along  the  trunk  under  the 
umbel  of  the  fronds,  add  much  to  the  fine  appearance  of  the  tree.  The 
trunk  of  the  corozo  looks  as  if  it  had  been  turned  in  a  lathe,  so  smooth 
and  rounded  is  it.  I  believe  the  corozo  is  the  same  as  the  palma  redonda 
(round  palm),  and  that  among  the  Mexicans  these  names  are  used  in 
differently. 

" Abanico" — Page  n.]  "Fan-palm."  The  well-known  fan-palm,  or 
talipot-tree  (Corypha  umbraculifera),  is  a  native  of  the  East  Indies, 
where  it  is  distinguished  for  its  beauty  and  numerous  uses ;  but,  not 
withstanding,  there  are  several  species  of  the  fan-plant  in  America,  and 
they  are  known  by  the  name  " abanico"  which  signifies  a  fan.  Like 
their  eastern  congeners,  they  are  put  to  many  uses.  Their  trunks  are 
employed  to  enclose  the  "  corrals,"  or  cattle-pens ;  their  vast  leaves 
make  roofs  for  the  houses ;  and  mats  and  sombreros  (hats)  are  woven 
out  of  them. 

"  Wax  palm" — Page  n.]  (Ceroxylon  andicola.)  This  species  exudes 
from  its  bark  a  resinous  substance  resembling  wax :  hence  its  vulgar 
name.  The  substance  is  used  for  making  light. 

" Acrocomia" — Page  n.]  Called  by  Humboldt  Palma  melicoton. 
This  is  a  beautiful  species,  with  a  spacious  trunk  and  plume-like  leaves. 
It  is  found  in  great  plenty  on  the  Upper  Orinoco.  It  produces  a  farina 
ceous  fruit,  growing  in  enormous  racemes  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  to 
two  hundred  on  one  petiole,  and  of  a  deep  yellow  color,  like  the  yolk  of 
an  egg.  These  fruits  are  of  a  sweetish  taste,  and  both  as  nutritive  and 
wholesome  as  either  plantains  or  bananas.  The  Indians  are  extremely 
fond  of  them,  and  use  them  to  a  large  extent. 

"  Mammey" — Page  1 1 .]  (Mammea  Americana.)  A  tree  whose  timber 
as  well  as  fruit  is  valuable.  The  fruit  is  somewhat  like  a  cocoanut, 
stripped  of  the  fibrous  rind,  on  the  outside ;  but  the  shell,  when  broken 
(and  this  is  easily  done,  as  the  latter  is  thin),  discloses  a  beautiful  saf 
fron-colored  pulp,  which  surrounds  several  large  smooth  seeds  of  a 
chestnut  color.  This  pulp  is  excellent  eating,  and  the  fruit  is  seen  in 
all  the  "  plazas  "  (market-places)  of  Mexican  cities. 

"  Mahogany-tree" — Page  n.]  The  name  of  the  mahogany-tree  (Swie- 
tenia  mahogani)  in  Spanish  America  is  "  caoba-tree."  It  is  found 
throughout  all  tropical  America;  but  that  of  Southern  Mexico  is 
esteemed  the  best. 

"  Tanagers" — Page  1 1.]  There  are  several  species  of  tanagers  in  Mex 
ico.  They  are  small  birds,  of  bright  plumage.  One  species  is  of  the 
purest,  unmixed  scarlet  color.  They  do  not  take  to  the  cage,  like  some 


NOTES.  425 

other  birds,  but  usually  flutter  themselves  to  death  or  pine  away  under 
their  captivity. 

"Noisy  lories" — Page  n.]  The  parrots — called  "lorettos"  by  the 
Mexicans — are  very  garrulous  in  the  woods.  There  are  many  species 
peculiar  to  Mexico. 

"  Resplendent  trogons" — Page  n.]  These  beautiful  birds  are  becom 
ing  better  known  than  formerly.  There  were  supposed  to  be  only  two 
or  three  species  until  lately ;  but  the  tropical  forests  of  America  have 
turned  out  nearly  a  dozen  new  species  within  the  last  few  years. 

"  The  toucans" — Page  n.]  The  toucans  are  becoming  better  known 
to  the  world,  through  the  exertions  of  Mr.  Gould,  the  ornithologist, 
who  has  already  made  collections  of  different  species.  The  same  re 
mark  may  apply,  and  with  greater  appropriateness,  to  the  trochili  and 
colibri  (the  humming-birds),  of  which  beautiful  and  spirit-like  forms 
Mexico  is  the  favorite  home. 

"  Carpenter-bird" — Page  12.]  Picu  s  principalis,  or  ivory-billed  wood 
pecker.  This  is  the  largest  of  the  woodpecker  tribe,  and  his  name  of 
"  carpenter-bird  "  is,  no  doubt,  derived  from  the  noise  which  he  creates 
while  pecking  for  his  food  under  the  bark  of  decayed  trees.  This  ham 
mering  can  be  heard  at  the  distance  of  a  mile.  "  Wherever  he  frequents," 
says  Wilson,  "  he  leaves  numerous  monuments  of  his  industry  behind 
him.  We  there  see  enormous  trees  with  cartloads  of  bark  lying  around 
their  roots,  and  chips  of  the  trunk  itself,  in  such  quantities  as  to  suggest 
the  idea  that  half  a  dozen  ax-men  had  been  at  work  there  for  the  whole 
morning." 

The  ivory-billed  woodpecker  is  the  inhabitant  of  intertropical  coun 
tries,  and  in  the  United  States  he  is  only  found  in  the  more  southern 
parts. 

"  Crested  curassow."— Page  1 2.]  A  great  many  species  of  the  curassow 
tribe  are  already  described  by  ornithologists,  and  no  doubt  others  still 
unknown  to  naturalists  may  be  found  in  the  vast  jungles  of  South 
America  and  Mexico. 

"  Turkey  of  Honduras" — Page  12.]  It  was  for  a  long  time  supposed 
that  the  wild  turkey  of  North  America  (Meleagris  gallipavo}  was  also 
an  inhabitant  of  the  southern  part  of  that  continent.  This  is  now 
known  not  to  be  the  case.  The  bird  mistaken  for  the  turkey  of  the 
north  must  have  been  either  the  curassow  or  the  species  in  question, 
"  the  turkey  of  Honduras."  The  last  may  fairly  be  ranked  with  birds  of 
the  first  class,  not  only  as  regards  plumage,  but  in  the  quality  of  its 
flesh.  The  plumage  is  of  a  dark  mottled  green,  with  metallic  luster,. 


426  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

and  the  form  of  the  bird  is  very  similar  to  the  Meleagris  gallipavo  ;  but 
it  is  of  smaller  size.  Few  birds  excel  in  beauty  of  form  and  color  the 
turkey  of  Honduras. 

"  Graceful  roe."  —  Page  12.]  The  common  deer  of  Mexico  is  a  small 
and  exceedingly  graceful  species  of  the  red  deer  of  the  north  (Cervus 
Virginianus]  . 

"Caiman"  —  Page  12.]  Sometimes  written  "cayman"  of  the  same 
species  as  the  alligator  (Alligator  Mississipptensis).  These  animals  are 
fierce  in  direct  proportion  to  the  wildness  of  the  district  which  they 
inhabit. 

"Iguana"  —  Page  12.]  The  iguana  (pronounced  eegwana)  is  a  lizard, 
frequently  arriving  at  the  enormous  dimensions  of  more  than  three  feet 
in  length.  A  singular  crest  rises  upon  the  upper  part  of  its  head,  and 
extends  along  the  back  as  far  as  half-way  down  the  tail  —  resembling, 
more  than  anything  I  can  think  of,  a  saw  placed  teeth-upward.  Under 
the  throat  of  the  iguana  there  is  a  fold  or  sac  of  loose  cuticle,  reaching 
from  the  lips  to  the  breast  —  not  unlike  what  is  seen  upon  oxen,  under 
the  common  name  of  "  dewlap."  The  iguana  is  of  a  dull  green  color  ; 
but  the  females,  which  are  smaller  than  the  males,  are  frequently  seen 
of  a  beautiful  clear  green.  It  is  an  oviparous  animal,  and  the  eggs  are 
deposited  in  holes  in  the  sand,  or  in  the  earth,  on  the  borders  of  rivers, 
to  the  number  of  forty  or  more.  The  eggs  are  eaten  by  the  Indians 
and  Mexicans.  So,  too,  the  flesh,  which  is  esteemed  a  great  delicacy  in 
most  parts  of  Spanish  America  and  the  West  Indies.  It  is  white  and 
tender,  and  tastes  not  unlike  chicken. 

The  iguana  lives  mostly  in  the  trees,  and  generally  takes  to  them 
when  hunted.  Sometimes,  however,  it  plunges  under  water,  if  in  the 
chase  it  should  arrive  at  a  river  or  lake.  It  can  remain  thus  for  a  con* 
siderable  time  without  breathing.  It  is  usually  hunted  by  dogs  trained 
for  the  purpose  ;  but,  as  soon  as  the  creature  is  "  treed,"  the  hunter,  by 
whistling,  prevents  it  from  hiding  itself  altogether  until  he  has  thrown 
the  noose  of  a  lazo  over  its  head,  which  he  does  with  great  dexterity.  It 
is  said  that  the  iguana  is  so  enchanted  by  the  music  of  whistling  that  it 
will  even  permit  itself  to  be  touched  with  a  pole  without  moving  from 
the  perch.  When  noosed  with  a  lazo,  it  is  jerked  down  from  the  tree 
and  killed. 


—  Page  13.]  The  basilisk,  fabulously  celebrated  as  a 
creature  whose  glance  produced  death,  is  one  of  the  most  innocent  of 
the  lizard  tribe.  It  lives  upon  the  banks  of  streams,  and  feeds  upon 
insects.  There  is  a  loose  skin  under  its  throat,  and  a  scaly  crest  rises 
upon  the  back  of  its  head,  which  serves  it  as  a  sort  of  sail  when  swim- 


•  NOTES.  427 

ming.  It  is  not  more  than  four  or  five  inches  in  length,  and  its  flesh  is 
eaten  by  the  Indians,  who  esteem  it  equal  to  the  iguana.  In  fact,  the 
latter  is  not  the  only  lizard  which  is  eaten  by  the  aborigines  of  America. 
Nearly  all  the  species  are  prized  as  articles  of  food. 

"  The  biting  geckotin" — Page  13.]  Called  "  cotejo  "  by  the  Spanish 
/  mericans.  This  is  a  small  yellow  lizard,  with  black  stripes  and  one 
white  one  running  longitudinally  along  the  spine.  Its  belly  is  white, 
and  its  feet  are  long  and  hand-like.  It  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  is 
found  among  dry  logs  and  old  walls,  where  it  hunts  for  insects.  Its 
bite  is  said  to  produce  fever,  and  it  is  one  of  the  few  lizards  that  the 
Indians  will  not  eat. 

"  The  macaurel" — Page  13.]  The  macaurel  is  a  very  large  snake, 
similar  to  the  boa  in  color  and  habits.  It  is  a  tree-climber,  and  feeds 
upon  animals  and  birds. 

"  The  tiger-snake" — Page  13.]  The  tiger-snake  (Culebra  tigrc)  is  so 
called  on  account  of  the  spots  on  its  body  resembling  those  on  the 
Mexican  tiger  (jaguar).  When  the  tiger-snake  is  irritated  and  makes 
to  strike  its  object,  it  raises  its  head  several  feet  from  the  surface  of 
the  ground.  There  are  individuals  of  this  species  twelve  feet  in  length. 

"  Cascabel" — Page  13.]  The  cascabel  is  well  known  as  the  "rattle 
snake  "  (Crotalus  horridus]  of  North  America.  There  are  several 
species  more  or  less  venomous. 

"  Coral-snake" — Page  13.]  The  coral-snake  is  one  of  the  most  veno 
mous  of  the  serpent  family.  Its  bite,  if  not  cured  by  the  juice  of  the 
"  guaco-plant "  (Mikania  guaco)  or  some  other  antidote,  is  almost  cer 
tain  to  prove  fatal.  It  derives  its  name  from  its  color,  which  is  of  the 
hue  of  coral,  with  rings  of  a  darker  color.  The  coral-snake  is  much 
dreaded  by  the  natives  of  South  America. 

"  Tillandsia" — Page  13.]  The  well-known  Spanish  moss,  which,  like 
long  streamers,  hangs  from  the  branches  of  various  species  of  trees  in  a 
tropical  forest.  It  is  sometimes  called  "  old  man's  beard,"  from  its  re 
semblance  to  gray  hair.  It  is  used  by  the  people  where  it  is  found  to 
stuff  mattresses,  sofas,  harness,  etc.,  and  is  esteemed  equal  to  curled 
horsehair.  Its  botanical  name  is  Tillandsia  usneoides. 

"  Ouistiti" — Page  13.]  There  are  many  species  of  the  ouistiti  mon 
keys  in  tropical  America — some  of  them  not  much  larger  than  rats.  If 
any  monkeys  may  be  called  beautiful,  these  deserve  that  name. 

"  Zambo" — Page  13.]  The  "zambo"  monkey  is  one  of  the  largest 
and  fiercest  of  the  family  of  quadrumana.  He  is  often  seen  in  the 


428 


THE   RIFLE    RANGERS. 


Mexican  forests  as  large  as  a  Newfoundland  dog.  They  go  in  troops, 
and  will  attack  human  beings  when  assailed  by  the  latter.  The  zambo 
is  of  a  ferruginous  or  brownish  color,  uniform  all  over  the  body. 

"  The  ocelot'"1 — Page  1 3.]  The  "  onza  "  of  the  Spanish  Americans  is 
a  small  species  of  panther.  It  is  harmless,  except  when  "  at  bay."  It 
possesses  a  keen  vision  and  sense  of  hearing.  It  is  shy  of  man,  and 
nocturnal  in  its  habits. 

"  The  panther." — Page  13.]  The  panther  (pantera]  of  the  Spanish 
Americans  is  altogether  a  different  animal  from  either  the  panther  of 
the  East  or  the  panther  (improperly  so  called)  of  the  North  Americans. 
The  animal  of  this  name  in  South  America  is  a  smaller  species  than 
the  jaguar,  of  nearly  similar  markings,  but  much  more  voracious  in  pro 
portion  to  its  size.  It  keeps  within  the  deepest  recesses  of  the  jungle, 
and  only  comes  out  into  the  open  country  when  pressed  by  hunger. 

"The  /*/«*."— Page  13.]  The  lynx  is  the  "  wild  cat  "  of  North  Amer 
ica,  and  is  sometimes  called  the  "  catamount."  There  are  several  dis 
tinct  species  established  by  naturalists.  The  Canada  lynx  (Lynx  Cana- 
densis]  and  the  bay  lynx  (Lynx  rufus)  are  the  best  known. 

"  GusanitosT — Page    14.]     The   gusanitos   are   a  species   of  fire-fly, 

cmaller  and  less  brilliant  than  either  of  the  cocuyos.    The  male  alone 

a  winged  insect,  and  at  all  hours  of  the  night  saay  I  :  seen  flying  over 

ie  roads,  in  the  woods  and  fields.     The  female  Iks  Lid  all  day  among 

ie  leaves.     At  night  she  appears,  shining  like  a  glow-worm,  while  the 

...  ale  flies  around  her,  shedding  his  light  at  intervals.     The  gusanito  is 

off  a  brownish-black  color.     It  is  the  only  fire-fly  which  is  found  so  far 

north  as  the  latitude  of  the  United  States.     There  it  is  frequently 

termed  the  "  lightning-bug." 

"  Vampire''1 — Page  14.]  The  existence  of  the  bloodsucking  bat  is 
not  a  fable,  as  some  suppose.  Two  or  three  species  are  found  in  the 
forests  of  tropical  America  having  this  character.  Their  principal  food 
is  insects ;  but  they  attack  the  larger  animals,  and  even  man  when 
asleep,  and,  puncturing  the  flesh  with  their  sharp  mandibles,  drink  the 
blood.  Animals  have  often  been  found  dead,  their  death  caused  in  this 
manner ;  and  travelers,  who  went  to  sleep  without  taking  proper  pre 
cautions,  have  waked  up  again  to  find  themselves  wounded  by  the  vam 
pire,  and  faint  from  the  loss  of  blood.  They  are  said  to  draw  the  blood 
while  poised  upon  their  whirring  wings,  thus  fanning  the  wound,  so 
that  its  pain  does  not  awaken  the  sleeper.  There  are  two  or  more 
species  that  are  fond  of  blood.  One — a  very  large  kind,  a  foot  or 
jnore  in  length— preys  upon  animals,  while  that  which  attacks  man  is  a 


NOTES.  429 

much  smaller  sort.     There  are  many  species  of  bats  that  are  quite 
harmless,  and  live  only  on  vegetable  substances. 

'•  Lechuza" — Page  14.]  This  great  owl  preys  upon  squirrels,  rabbits, 
and  other  small  animals.  Its  cry  is  of  the  most  disagreeable  kind,  and 
is  often  likened  by  the  Mexicans  to  the  groan  of  a  man  who  is  half 
strangled. 

"  Dog-wolf", — Page  15.]  The  same  as  the  prairie  wolf  (Lupits  lat- 
rans),  or  barking  wolf  of  the  north.  It  is  called  by  the  Mexicans 
"  coyote."  Its  name  of  "  barking-wolf  "  is  derived  from  its  cry,  which 
begins  with  three  short  barks,  like  those  of  a  dog,  and  ends  in  a  long 
and  piteous  howl. 

"  Bell-frog." — Page  1 5.]  The  traveler  in  the  southern  forest  is  struck 
with  the  numerous  voices  of  cicadas,  tree-toads,  and  frogs,  that  reach 
his  ear.  The  various  species  of  these  creatures  are  but  little  known. 
There  are  many  species  of  hyla  and  hyloides  undescribed.  The  "  bell- 
frog  "  (Hyla  viridis]  is  so  termed  from  its  note,  which  may  be  easily 
distinguished  among  the  others  by  its  clear  metallic  sound,  resembling 
the  tinkling  of  a  small  bell.  It  is  also  sometimes  called  the  "  green 
tree-frog,"  from  its  color,  and  the  habit  of  dwelling  upon  the  trees. 

The  loud  "  11-M-uk  "  of  the  tree-toad  (Hylaversicolor]  is  also  something 
strange,  when  falling  suddenly  upon  the  ear  of  the  solitary  traveler. 
This  note  is  uttered  most  frequently  when  rain  approaches,  and  it  can 
be  heard  at  a  good  distance.  The  "  Savanna  cricket  "  is  another  of  the 
hylce — the  smallest  known.  It  is  a  beautiful  little  creature,  and  derives 
its  name  from  its  chirp,  which  is  not  very  dissimilar  to  that  of  the  com 
mon  house-cricket. 

"  Skunk" — Page  16.]  The  skunk  (Mephitis  chinga],  sometimes  im 
properly  termed  "  polecat,"  exists  in  great  plenty  in  the  tropical  forests. 
The  air  is  sometimes  filled  with  their  disagreeable  odor,  and  then  you 
may  be  sure  that  some  other  creature  has  enraged  it,  as  it  only  emits  its 
peculiar  scent  when  defending  itself  against  an  enemy. 

"  Cocoa-palm"— Page  16.]  The  cocoa-palm  (Cocus  nucifera)  is  in 
digenous  to  America,  and  in  many  parts  this  magnificent  tree  is  found 
growing  wild.  It  is  cultivated,  however,  for  the  sake  of  its  nutritious 
and  agreeable  nuts. 

" Sweet  lime" — Page  16.]  Many  species  of  limes,  some  of  gigantic 
size,  are  grown  in  the  orchards  of  Mexico,  particularly  around  Jalapa. 

" Shaddock" — Page  16.]  This  tree  is  an  exotic  in  Mexico,  where  it 
flourishes  well,  producing  its  great  globes  to  perfection,  and  forming  an 
ornament.  The  guava-tree  is  also  found  here. 


430  THE    RIFLE    RANGERS. 

"  Aguacate" — Page  16.]  (Laurus  Per  sea].  This  "tree  produces  a 
fruit  about  the  size  of  a  large  pear,  and  of  a  green  color,  mottled  with 
black  blotches.  Its  fruit  is  insipid,  but  it  is  much  prized  by  the  Mexican 
gourmands  for  their  soup — why,  I  cannot  divine.  It  is  sliced  into  the 
soup  in  a  raw  state,  and  then  eaten. 

"  Cherimolla" — Page  16.]  Or  "cherimoya" — considered  by  many 
the  most  luscious  of  all  fruits.  It  is  as  large  as  a  cocoa-nut,  and  some 
what  of  the  appearance  and  taste  of  a  very  ripe  pear. 

"  Palmetto" — Page  18.]  The  "  palmiche,"  or  "  mountain  palm  " — 
sometimes  also  called  "  cabbage  palm,"  and  known  in  Florida  as  the 
"  palmetto." 

"  Yuccas" — Page  18.]-  Many  species  of  yucca  are  indigenous  to  Mex 
ico.  Some  of  them  bear  edible  fruit. 

"  Log  cabin" — Page  22.]  In  the  forest-covered  mountains  the  "  log- 
cabin,"  not  unlike  that  of  the  Western  backwoods,  is  common.  The 
picturesque  hamlets  of  La  Hoya,  Las  Vigas,  and  other  mountain  vil 
lages  of  Mexico,  are  built  of  logs,  these  being  the  readiest  material  in 
such  places. 

"  Carbonero" — Page  22.]  In  most  of  the  Mexican  cities  charcoal  is 
the  only  fuel  used,  and  this  is  obtained  from  the  mountain  forests.  No 
fires  are  made  for  warmth,  and  there  are  few  houses  that  have  either  a 
grate  or  a  furnace.  Stoves  are  unknown,  and  the  kitchen,  with  its 
"  brazero,"  is  the  only  part  of  the  house  where  fire  is  kindled. 

From  morning  till  night  the  "  carbonero  "  fills  the  streets  with  his 
doleful  cry — "  Carbon  !  carbon  !  "  (charcoal). 

44  Arriero" — Page  22.]  The  "  arriero  " — the  muleteer,  or  rather  the 
"  carrier  "  of  Mexico — with  his  picturesque  costume,  his  long  journey- 
ings,  and  his  trustworthiness,  has  been  so  often  the  theme  of  admira 
tion  and  description  upon  the  part  of  travelers,  that  we  need  not  say 
more  of  him  here. 

"  Ice  of  the  glaciers." — Page  22.]  The  gentry  of  the  Mexican  cities 
indulge  in  the  luxury  of  ice,  or,  rather,  frozen  snow,  which  is  brought 
down  from  the  mountains  of  Popocatepec,  Orizava,  etc. 

44  The  'cumbre*  of  Orizava."—  Page  23.]  The  Peak  of  Orizava,  so 
called  in  the  language  of  the  country.  Orizava  was  once  an  active 
volcano,  and  the  flame  issuing  from  its  apex  suggested  its  poetical 
name,  which  is  Indian,  and  means  "  the  Burning  Star." 

'  Comanches" — Page  26.]     The  most  warlike  and  powerful  of  modern 


NOTES.  431 

Indian  tribes.     They  inhabit  the  western  part  of  Texas,  and  make  reg 
ular  forays  both  upon  the  Mexican  and  American  settlements. 

"  Calve" — Page  27.]  Thefrima  donna  of  a  French  operatic  troupe 
then  very  popular  among  the  Orleannois,  more  especially  with  the 
French  Creoles.  Half  a  score  of  duels  were  fought  among  these  fiery 
people,  originating  in  disputes  about  the  merits  of  the  cantatrice. 

"  Tremt" — Page  27.]  One  of  the  faubourgs  of  the  old  city  of  New 
Orleans — a  quarter  famous  for  assassinations  and  night-brawls.  It  is 
in  the  neighborhood  where  most  of  the  quadroon  and  masked  balls  are 
held. 

"  The  Peaks" — Page  28.]  The  Spanish  Peaks,  near  Santa  Fe,  are  a 
well-known  landmark  of  the  mountain  trappers. 

"  Store-keeper" — Page  28.]  The  contempt  of  the  "  mountain  men  '* 
(the  trappers)  for  all  shopkeepers — called  by  them  "  store-keepers  " — is 
quite  as  great  as  that  which  Rob  Roy  entertained  for  the  worthy 
weavers  of  Glasgow. 

"Crow" — Page  29.]  Lincoln  refers  to  an  Indian  of  the  "Crow" 
tribe,  who  inhabit  the  banks  of  the  Yellowstone  River.  These  Indians 
are  a  fine  race  of  men. 

"  Grande" — Page  29.]  The  Rio  Grande  of  Mexico,  called  by  the 
trappers  "  the  Grand  River." 

"Debt" — Page  29.]  I  alluded  to  an  adventure  in  the  Rocky  Moun 
tains,  several  years  before,  in  which,  but  for  Lincoln,  I  should  have  lost 
my  life. 

"  Craps" — Page  29.]  A  popular  game  among  the  Creoles  of  New 
Orleans,  played  by  dice. 

" Sign" — Page  29.]  The  trapper  phrase  for  traces  or  marks  :  a 
"  beaver  sign  " — the  tracks  or  other  marks  that  indicate  the  presence  of 
the  beaver. 

"  Calaboose" — Page  30.]  The  municipal  prison  of  New  Orleans  is 
termed  "  calaboose,"  from  its  ancient  Spanish  name,  "  calabozo" 

"  Recorder" — Page  30.]  The  magistrate  of  New  Orleans  who  attends 
to  the  police  cases  is  termed  the  Recorder. 

'"Puncheon" — Page  31.]     Penchant. 

"  Yeller-bellies" — Page  31.]  The  contemptuous  phrases  of  "  yellow- 
hided  "  and  "  yellow-bellies "  were  applied  to  the  Mexicans  by  our 
soldiers  and  backwoodsmen  on  account  of  the  yellow,  coppery  complex 
ion  of  the  half-breeds,  so  numerous  in  Mexico. 


432  THE   RIFLE   RANGERS. 

"  Elected  an  officer." — Page  32.]  The  officers  of  most  of  the  regi 
ments  who  served  under  the  name  of  "  volunteers  "  in  the  Mexican  war 
were  elected  by  their  own  men,  but  afterwards  commissioned  by  the 
Government.  In  many  instances  the  election  was  only  a  form,  most 
of  the  officers  being  appointments  of  the  colonel. 

"  Creole" — Page  33.]  This  word  is  almost  always  misunderstood  in 
England.  A  Creole  is  not  a  person  of  mixed  African  blood,  but  one  of 
the  pure  Caucasian  race,  born  in  America.  The  word  in  New  Orleans 
is  only  applied  to  natives  of  the  place,  who  are  mostly  of  French  extrac 
tion.  The  synonym  in  Spanish  is  criollo,  and  means  a  native  Spanish 
American.  Persons  of  mixed  blood  may  be  Creole  quadroons,  Creole 
mulattoes,  but  never  "  Creoles."  The  French  Creoles  of  New  Orleans 
are  a  handsome  race.  The  females  are  celebrated  for  their  beauty. 
The  men  have  many  good  qualities,  but  are  prone  to  quarrel  hastily, 
and  numerous  duels,  both  with  sword  and  pistol,  are  the  consequence. 
The  Creoles  are  a  much  finer  race  of  men  than  the  Frenchmen  of  France 
itself,  although  the  latter  will  not  admit  this. 

"  Whole  team"— Page  34.]  "  A  whole  team  "  is  a  Western  phrase, 
which  represents  a  man  of  no  ordinary  capacity.  "  A  whole  team  and 
a  cross  dog  under  the  wagon,"  is  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  cleverness. 

"  Licker" — Page  34.]  To  take  liquor — to  drink.  "  Take  a  smile  "  is 
another  of  those  fancy  phrases  for  taking  a  glass  in  which  America 
abounds. 

"  Armory" — Page  35.]  In  all  the  American  cities  there  are  volun 
teer  corps,  who  have  large  buildings  where  they  keep  their  arms  and 
accoutrements.  These  were  used  during  the  Mexican  war  as  rendez 
vous  for  recruiting,  drill,  etc. 

"  Lobos."— Page  38.]  Lobo  signifies  "  a  wolf,"  and  also  a  "  sea-wolf  " 
or  "  seal."  Hence  the  name  as  applied  to  the  island.  There  are  many 
islands  around  the  Spanish  American  coasts,  each  of  which  bears  the 
name  "  Island  of  Seals."  The  Lobos  here  spoken  of  is  an  uninhabited 
islet,  about  a  mile  in  circumference,  formed  upon  a  coral  foundation, 
and  surrounded  by  a  coral  reef. 

"  Palmetto  State" — Page  48.]  South  Carolina  has  adopted  the  name 
of  the  "  Palmetto  State,"  from  the  beautiful  tree  of  that  name,  which 
there  grows  in  abundance. 

"  Augusta" — Page  49.]  This,  being  a  frontier  town,  and  affording  an 
easy  means  of  escape  for  certain  criminals  of  South  Carolina,  who  could 
aot  be  pursued  over  the  line,  held  in  earlier  times,  a.  very  bad  reputation. 

THE    END, 


A  FEW  OF 

GROSSET   &   DUNLAP'S 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 

NEW,  CLEVER.  ENTERTAINING. 

GRET :    The  Story  of  a  Pagan.    By  Beatrice  Mantle.    Illustrated 

by  C.  M.  Relyea. 

The  wild  free  life  of  an  Oregon  lumber  camp  furnishes  the  setting  for  this 
strong  original  story.  Gret  is  the  daughter  of  the  camp  and  is  utterly  con 
tent  with  the  wild  life— until  love  comes.  A  fine  book,  unmarred  by  con 
vention. 

OLD   CHESTER   TALES.     By  Margaret  Deland.     Illustrated 
by  Howard  Pyle. 

A  vivid  yet  delicate  portrayal  of  characters  in  an  old  New  England  town. 

Dr.  Lavendar's  fine,  kindly  wisdom  is  brought  to  bear  upon  the  lives  of 
all,  permeating  the  whole  volume  like  the  pungent  odor  01  pine,  healthful 
and  life  giving.  "  Old  Chester  Tales  "  will  surely  be  among  the  books  that 
abide. 

THE  MEMOIRS  OF  A  BABY.    By  Josephine  Daskam.    Illus 
trated  by  F.  Y.  Cory. 

The  dawning  intelligence  of  the  baby  was  grappled  with  by  its  great  aunt, 
an  elderly  maiden,  whose  book  knowledge  ofbabies  was  something  at  which 
even  the  infant  himself  winked.  A  delicious  bit  of  humor. 

REBECCA  MARY.      By  Annie  Hamilton  Donnell.     Illustrated 

by  Elizabeth  Shippen  Green. 

The  heart  tragedies  of  this  little  girl  with  no  one  near  to  share  them,  art 
told  with  a  delicate  art,  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  needs  of  the  childish 
heart  and  a  humorous  knowledge  of  the  workings  of  the  childish  mind. 

THE  FLY  ON  THE  WHEEL.    By  Katherine  Cecil  Thurston. 
Frontispiece  by  Harrison  Fisher. 

An  Irish  story  of  real  power,  perfect  in  development  and  showing  a  true 
conception  of  trie  spirited  Hibernian  character  as  displayed  in  the  tragic  as 
well  as  the  tender  phases  of  life. 

THE  MAN  FROM  BRODNEY'S.    By  George  BarrMcCutcheon. 
Illustrated  by  Harrison  Fisher. 

An  island  in  the  South  Sea  is  the  setting  for  this  entertaining  tale,  and 
an  all-conquering  hero  and  a  beautiful  princess  figure  in  a  most  complicated 
plot.  One  of  Mr.  McCutcheon's  best  books. 

TOLD  BY  UNCLE  REMUS.    By  Joel  Chandler  Harris.    Illus 
trated  by  A.  B.  Frost,  J.  M.  Conde  and  Frank  Verbeck. 

Again  Uncle  Remus  enters  the  fields  of  childhood,  and  leads  another, 
little  boy  to  that  non-locatable  land  called  "Brer   Rabbit's  Laughing 
Place,"  and  again  the  quaint  animals  spring  into  active  life  and  play  their 
parts,  for  the  edification  of  a  small  but  appreciative  audience. 

THE  CLIMBER.    By  E.  F.  Benson.     With  frontispiece. 


SYNCH'S  DAUGHTER.    By  Leonard  Merrick.    Illustrated  by 

Geo.  Brehm.  j 

A  story  of  to-day,  telling  how  a  rich  girl  acquires  ideals  of  beautiful  and 
simple  living,  and  of  men  and  love,  quite  apart  from  the  teachings  of  her 
father,  "  Old  Man  Lynch  ";of.,Wall  St.  True  to  life,  clever  in  treatment. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


GROSSET  &   DUNLAP'S 

DRAMATIZED  NOVELS 

A  Few  that  are  Making  Theatrical  History 

«IARY  JANE'S  PA.    By  Norman  Way.    Illustrated  with  scenes 

from  the  play. 

Delightful  irresponsible  "  Mary  Jane's  Pa  "  awakes  one  morning  to  find 
aimseif  famous,  and,  genius  being  ill  adapted  to  domestic  ioys,  he  wanders 
from  home  to  wcrk  out  his  own  unique  destiny.  One  of  the  most  humorous 
bits  of  recent  fiction. 

CHERUB  DEVINE.    By  Se well  Ford. 

"  Cherub,"  a  good  hearted  but  not  over  refined  young  man  is  brought  In 
touch  with  the  aristocracy.  Of  sprightly  wit,  lie  is  sometimes  a  merciless 
analyst,  but  he  proves  in  the  end  that  manhood  counts  for  rn-jre  than  anci 
ent  lineage  by  winning  the  love  of  the  fairest  girl  in  the  flock 

&  WOMAN'S  WAY.     By  Charles  Somerville.    Illustrated  with 

scenes  from  the  play. 

A  story  in  which  a  woman's  w:i  and  self-sacrificing  love  save  her  husband 
from  the  toils  of  an  adventuress,  and  change  an  apparently  tragic  situation 
into  one  of  delicious  comedy. 

THE  CLIMAX.    By  George  C.  Jenks. 

With  ambition  luring  her  on,  a  young  chcir  soprano  leaves  the  little  village 
where  she  was  born  and  the  limited  audience  of  St.  Jude's  to  train  for  the 
opera  in  New  York  She  leaves  love  behind  her  ana  meets  love  more  ardent 
but  not  more  sincere  in  her  new  environment.  How  she  works,  how  she 
studies,  how  she  suffers,  are  vividly  portrayed. 

A  FOOL  THERE  WAS.     By  Porter  Emerson  Browne,     Illus 
trated  by  Edmund  Magrath  and  W.  W.  Fawcett. 
A  relentless  portrayal  of  the  career  of  a  man  who  C9mes  under  the  influence 
of  a  beautiful  but  evil  woman:  how  she  lures  him  on  and  on,  how  he 
fttruggles,  falJs  and  rises,  only  io  fall  again  into  her  net,  make  a  story  of 
unflinching  realism. 

THE  SQUAW   MAN.     By  Julie  Opp  Faversham  and  Edwir 

Milton  Royle.    Illustrated  with  scenes  from  the  play. 
A  glowing  story,  rapid  in  action,  brig!    in  dialogue  with  a  fine  courageotv 
tero  and  a  beautiful  English  heroine. 

THE  GIRL  IN  WAITING.     By  Archibald  Eyre.     Illustratec 

with  scenes  from  the  play. 

•    A  droll  little  comedy  of  misunderstandings,  told  with  a  light  touch,  a  ve»» 
airesorne  spirit  and  an  eye  for  human  oddities. 

THE   SCARLET   PIMPERNEL.     By  Baroness  Orczy.     Illus 

trated  with  scenes  from  the  play. 

A  realistic  story  of  the  days  of  the  French  Revolution,  abounding  ip 
dramatic  incident,  with  a  young  English  soldier  of  fortune,  daring,  myster* 
ms  as  the  hero, 

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CY  WHITTAKER'S  PLACE.     By  Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Illustrated  by  Wallace  Morgan. 

A  Cape  Cod  story  describing  the  amusing  efforts  of  an  el 
derly  bachelor  and  his  two  cronies  to  rear  and  educate  a  little 
girl.  Full  of  honest  fan — a  rural  drama. 

THE  FORGE  IN  THE  FOREST.    By  Charles  G.  D. 

Roberts.     Illustrated  by  H.  Sandham. 
A  story  of  the  conflict  in  Acadia  after  its  conquest  by  the 
British.     A  dramatic  picture  that  lives  and  shines  with  the  in 
definable  charm  of  poetic  romance. 

A  SISTER  TO  EVANGELINE.      By   Charles  G.  D 

Roberts.     Illustrated  by  E.  McConnell. 
Being  the  story  of  Yvonne  de  Lamourie,  and  how  she  went 
into  exile  with  the  villagers   of  Grand   Pre.     Swift  action, 
fresh  atmosphere,  wholesome  purity,  deep  passion  and  search 
ing  analysis  characterize  this  strong  novel. 

THE  OPENED  SHUTTERS.    By  Clara  Louise  Burn- 

ham.  Frontispiece  by  Harrison  Fisher. 
A  summer  haunt  on  an  island  in  Casco  Bay  is  the  back 
ground  for  this  romance.  A  beautiful  woman,  at  discord  with 
life,  is  brought  to  realize,  by  her  new  friends,  that  she  may 
open  the  shutters  of  her  soul  to  the  blessed  sunlight  of  joy  by 
casting  aside  vanity  and  self  love.  A  delicately  humorous 
work  with  a  lofty  motive  underlying  it  all. 

THE  RIGHT  PRINCESS.  By  Clara  Louise  Burnhsm. 
An  amusing  story,  opening  at  a  fashionable  Long  Island  re- 
•ort,  where  a  stately  Englishwoman  employs  a  forcible  New 
England  housekeeper  to  serve  in  her  interesting  home.  How 
types  so  widely  apart  react  on  each  others'  lives,  all  to  ulti 
mate  good,  makes  a  story  both  humorous  and  rich  in  sentiment. 

THE  LEAVEN  OF  LOVE.     By  Clara   Louise   Bum- 

ham.    Frontispiece  by  Harrison  Fisher. 
At  a  Southern  California  resort  a  world-weary  woman,  youne 
and  beautiful  but  disillusioned,  meets  a  girl  who  has  learned 
the  art  of  living — of  tasting  life  in  all  its  richness,  opulence  and 


joy.'  The  story  hinges  upon  the  change  wrought  in  the  soul 
of  the  blase  woman  by  this  glimpse  into  a 


a  cheery  life. 


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QUINCY    ADAMS    SAWYER.      A  Picture  of 

England  Home  Life.    With  illustrations  by  C.  W, 
Reed,  and  Scenes  Reproduced  from  the  Play. 
One  of  the  best  New  England  stories  ever  written.     It  is 
full  of  homely  human  interest  *  *  *  there  is  a  wealth  of  New 
England  village  character,  scenes  and  incidents  *  *  *  forcibly, 
vividly  and  truthfully  drawn.     Few  books  have  enjoyed  a 
greater  sale  and  popularity.    Dramatized,  it  made  the  great* 
est  rural  play  of  recent  times. 

THE    FURTHER    ADVENTURES    OF    QUINCY 
ADAMS   SAWYER.     By   Charles  Felton   Pidgin. 
Illustrated  by  Henry  Roth. 
All  who  love  honest  sentiment,  quaint  and  sunny  humor, 

and  homespun  philosophy  will  find  these  "  Further  Adven 

tures"  a  book  after  their  own  heart. 

HALF  A  CHANCE.     By  Frederic  S.  Isham.     Illus 

trated  by  Herman  Pfeifer. 

The  thrill  of  excitement  will  keep  the  reader  in  a  state  of 
Suspense,  and  he  will  become  personally  concerned  from  the 
start,  as  to  the  central  character,  a  very  real  man  who  suffers, 
dares  —  and  achieves  ! 

VIRGINIA    OF    THE   AIR    LANES.    By   Herbert 

Quick.    Illustrated  by  William  R.  Leigh. 
The  author  has  seized  the  romantic  moment  for  the  airship 
novel,  and  created  the  pretty  story  of  "  a  lover  and  his  lass  " 
contending  with  an  elderly  relative  for  the  monopoly  of  the 
skies.    An  exciting  tale  of  adventure  in  midair. 

THE  GAME  AND  THE  CANDLE.     By  Eleanor  M  f 

Ingram.     Illustrated  by  P.  D.  Johnson. 
The  hero  is  a  young  American,  who,  to  save  his  family  from 
poverty,  deliberately  commits  a  felony.    Then  follow  his  cap 
ture  and  imprisonment,  and  his  rescue  by  a  Russian  Grand 
Duke.    A  stirring  story,  rich  in  sentiment. 


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GROSSET   &   DUNLAP'S 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 

THE  MUSIC  MASTER.    By  Charles  Klein.      Illustrated 

by  John  Rae. 

This  marvelously  vivid  narrative  turns  upon  the  search  of  a  Ger 
man  musician  in  JSIew  York  for  his  little  daughter.  Mr.  Klein  ha* 
jrell  portrayed  his  pathetic  struggle  with  poverty,  his  varied  expe 
riences  in  endeavoring  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  public  not  trained 
to  an  appreciation  of  the  classic,  and  his  final  great  hour  when,  in 
the  rapidly  shifting  events  of  a  big  city,  his  little  daughter,  now  a 
beautiml  young  woman,  is  brought  to  his  very  door.  A  superb  bit 
of  fiction,  palpitating  with  the  life  of  the  great  metropolL  The 
play  in  which  David  Warfield  scored  his  highest  success. 

DR.    LAVENDAR'S    PEOPLE.      By    Margaret   Deland. 

Illustrated  by  Lucius  Hitchcock. 

Mrs.  Deland  won  so  many  friends  through  Old  Chester  Tales 
that  this  volume  needs  no  introduction  beyond  its  title.    The  lova 
ble  doctor  is  more  ripened  in  this  later  book,  and  the  simple  come- 
dies  and  tragedies  of  the  old  village  are  told  with  dramatic  charm. 
OLD  CHESTER  TALES.  By  Margaret  Deland.  Illustrated 

by  Howard  Pyle. 


from  life. 

HE  FELL  IN  LOVE  WITH  HIS  WIFE.    By  E.  P.  Roe. 

With  frontispiece. 

The  hero  is  a  farmer — a  man  with  honest,  sincere  views  of  life. 
Beieft  of  his  wife,  his  home  is  cared  for  by  a  succession  of  domes 
tics  of  varying  degrees  of  inefficiency  until,  from  a  most  unpromis 
ing  source,  comes  a  young  woman  who  not  only  becomes  his  wife 
but  commands  his  respect  and  eventually  wins  his  love.  A  bright 
and  delicate  romance,  revealing  on  both  sides  a  love  that  surmounts 
all  difficulties  and  survives  the  censure  of  friends  as  well  as  the  bit 
terness  of  enemies. 

THE  YOKE.    By  Elizabeth  Miller. 

Against  the  historical  background  of  the  days  when  the  children 
3f  Israel  were  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  Egypt,  the  author  has 
sketched  a  romance  of  compelling  charm.    A  biblical  novel  as  great 
;as  any  since  "  Ben  Hur." 

SAUL  OF  TARSUS.    By  Elizabeth  Miller.     Illustrated  by 

Andre*  Castaigne. 

The  scenes  of  this  story  are  laid  in  Jerusalem,  Alexandria,  Rome 
and  Damascus.  The  Apostle  Paul,  the  Martyr  Stephen,  Herod 
Agrippa  and  the  Emperors  Tiberius  and  Caligula  are  among  the 
mighty  figures  that  move  through  the  pages.  Wonderful  descrip 
tions,  and  a  love  story  of  the  purest  and  noblest  type  mark  this 
most  remarkable  religious  romance. 

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BRUVVER  JIM'S  BABY.     By  Philip  Verrill  Mighels. 

An  uproariously  funny  story  of  a  tiny  mining  settlement  in  the 
West,  which  is  shaken  to  the  very  roots  by  the  sudden  possession 
of  a  baby,  found  on  the  plains  by  one  of  its  residents.  The  town  is 
<as  disreputable  a  spot  as  the  gold  fever  was  ever  responsible  for, 
and  the  coming  of  that  baby  causes  the  upheaval  of  every  rooted 
tradition  of  the  place.  Its  christening,  the  problems  of  its  toys  and 
its  illness  supersede  in  the  minds  of  the  miners  all  thought  of  earthy 
treasure. 

THE  FURNACE  OF  GOLD.  By  Philip  Verrill  Mighels, 
author  of  "  Bruvver  Jim's  Baby."  Illustrations  by  J.  N. 
Marchand. 

An  accurate  and  informing  portrayal  of  scenes,  types,  and  condi* 
tions  of  the  mining  districts  in  modern  Nevada. 

The  book  is  an  out-door  story,  clean,  exciting,  exemplifying  no 
bility  and  courage  of  character,  and  bravery,  and  heroism  in  the  sc' . 
of  men  and  women  we  all  admire  and  wish  to  know. 
THE  MESSAGE.     By  Louis  Tracy.  Illustrations  by  Joseph 
C.  Chase. 

A  breezy  tale  of  how  a  bit  of  old  parchment,  concealed  in  a  figure 
head  from  a  sunken  vessel,  comes  into  the  possession  of  a  pretty 
girl  and  an  army  man  during  regatta  week  in  the  Isle  of  Wight. 
This  is  the  message  and  it  enfolds  a  mystery,  the  development  of 
which  the  reader  will  follow  with  breathless  interest. 

THE  SCARLET  EMPIRE.  By  David  M.  Parry.  Illus 
trations  by  Hermann  C.  Wall. 

A  young  socialist,  weary  of  life,  plunges  into  the  sea  and  awakes 
in  the  lost  island  of  Atlantis,  known  as  the  Scarlet  Empire,  where 
a  social  democracy  is  in  full  operation,  granting  every  man  a  living 
but  limiting  food,  conversation,  education  and  marriage. 

The  hero  passes  through  an  enthralling  love  «ff air  and  other  ad« 
ventures  but  finally  returns  to  his  own  New  Yc/k  world. 
THE  THIRD  DEGREE.    By  Charles  Klein  and  Arthur 
Hornblow.     Illustrations  by  Clarence  Rowe. 

A  novel  which  exposes  the  abuses  in  this  country  of  the  police 
r  system. 

The  son  of  an  aristocratic  New  York  family  marries  a  woman 
socially  beneath  him,  but  of  strong,  womanly  qualities  that,  later 
»n,  save  the  man  from  the  tragic  consequences  of  a  dissipated  life. 

The  wife  believes  in  his  innocence  and  her  wit  and  good  sense 
help  her  to  win  against  the  tremendous  odds  imposed  by  law. 
THE  THIRTEENTH    DISTRICT.    By  Brand  Whitlock. 

A  realistic  western  story  of  love  and  politics  and  a  searching  study 
of  their  influence  on  character.  The  author  shows  with  extraordi 
nary  vitality  of  treatment  the  tricks,  the  heat,  the  passion,  the  tu 
mult  of  the  political  arena,  the  triumph  and  strength  of  love. 

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WHEN  A  MAN  MARRIES.  By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 
Illustrated  by  Harrison  Fisher  and  Mayo  Bunker. 

A  young  artist,  whose  wife  had  recently  divorced  him,  finds  that 
a  visit  is  due  from  his  Aunt  Selina,  an  elderly  lady  having  ideas 
about  things  quite  apart  from  the  Bohemian  set  in  which  her 
nephew  is  a  shining  light.  The  way  in  which  matters  are  tempo 
rarily  adjusted  forms  the  motif  of  the  story. 

A  farcical  extravaganza,  dramatized  under  the  title  of  "Seven  Days" 

THE  FASHIONABLE  ADVENTURES  OF  JOSHUA 
CRAIG.  By  David  Graham  Phillips.  Illustrated. 

A  young  westerner,  uncouth  and  unconventional,  appears  in 
political  and  social  life  in  Washington.  He  attains  power  in  poli 
tics,  and  a  young  woman  of  the  exclusive  set  becomes  his  wife,  un 
dertaking  his  education  in  social  amenities. 

"  DOC."  GORDON.  By  Mary  E.  Wilkins-Freeman.  Illus 
trated  by  Frank  T.  Merrill. 

Against  the  familiar  background  of  American  town  life,  the 
author  portrays  a  group  of  people  strangely  involved  in  a  mystery. 
"Doc."  Gordon,  the  one  physician  of  the  place,  Dr.  Elliot,  his 
assistant,  a  beautiful  woman  and  her  altogether  charming  daughter 
are  all  involved  in  the  plot.  A  novel  of  great  interest. 

HOLY  ORDERS.     By  Marie  Corelli. 

A  dramatic  story,  in  wlvch  is  pictured  a  clergyman  in  touch  with 
society  people,  stage  favorites,  simple  village  folk,  powerful  finan 
ciers  and  others,  each  presenting  vital  problems  to  this  man  "in 
holy  orders  "—problems  that  we  are  now  struggling  with  in  America. 
KATRINE.  By  Elinor  Macartney  Lane.  With  frontispiece. 

Katrine,  the  heroine  of  this  story,  is  a  lovely  Irish  girl,  of  lowly 
birth,  but  gifted  with  a  beautiful  voice. 

The  narrative  is  based  on  the  facts  of  an  actual  singer's  career, 
and  the  viewpoint  throughout  is  a  most  exalted  one. 

THE   FORTUNES    OF  FIFI.    By  Molly  Elliot  Seawell. 

Illustrated  by  T.  de  Thulstrup. 

A  story  of  life  in  France  at  the  time  of  the  first  Napoleon.  Fifi. 
*  glad,  mad  little  actress  of  eighteen,  is  the  star  performer  in  a  third 
rate  Parisian  theatre.  A  story  as  dainty  as  a  Watteau  painting. 

SHE  THAT  HESITATES.  By  Harris  Dickson.  Illus^ 
trated  by  C.  W.  Rclyea. 

The  scene  of  this  dashing  romance  shifts  from  Dresden  to  St. 
Petersburg  in  the  reign  of  Peter  the  Great,  and  then  to  New  Orleans. 

The  hero  is  a  French  Soldier  of  Fortune,  and  the  princess,  who 
hesitates — but  you  must  read  the  story  to  know  how  she  that  hesitates 
may  be  lost  and  yet  saved. 

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HAPPY  HAWKINS.     By  Robert  Alexander  Wason.    Illus- 

trated  by  Howard  Giles. 

A  ranch  and  cowboy  novel.  Happy  Hawkins  tells  his  own  story 
with  such  a  fine  capacity  for  knowing  how  to  do  it  and  with  so  much 
humor  that  the  reader's  interest  is  held  in  surprise,  then  admiration 
and  at  last  in  positive  affection. 

COMRADES!    By  Thomas  Dixon,  Jr.    Illustrated  by  C.  D. 
Williams. 

The  locale  of  this  story  is  in  California,  where  a  few  socialists 
establish  a  little  community. 

The  author  leads  the  little  band  along  the  path  of  disillusion 
ment,  and  gives  some  brilliant  flashes  of  light  on  one  side  of  an 
important  question. 
TONO  BUNGAY.    By  Herbert  George  Wells. 

The  hero  of  this  novel  is  a  young  man  who,  through  hard  workt 
earns  a  scholarship  and  goes  to  London. 

Written  with  a  frankness  verging  on  Rousseau's,  Mr.  Wells  still 
uses  rare  discrimination  and  the  border  line  of  propriety  is  never 
crossed.    An  entertaining  book  with  both  a  story  and  a  moral,  and 
without  a  dull  page— Mr.  Wells's  most  notable  achievement. 
A  HUSBAND  BY  PROXY.    By  Jack  Steele. 

A  young  criminologist,  but  recently  arrived  in  New  York  city, 
is  drawn  into  a  mystery,  partly  through  financial  need  and  partly 
through  his  interest  in  a  beautiful  woman,  who  seems  at  times  the 
simplest  child  and  again  a  perfect  mistress  of  intrigue.  A  baffling 
detective  story. 

LIKE   ANOTHER  HELEN.    By  George   Horton.    Illus 
trated  by  C.  M.  Relyea. 

Mr.  Horton's  powerful  romance  stands  in  a  new  field  and  brings 

an  almost  unknown  world  in  reality  before  the  reader — the  world 

of  conflict  between  Greek  and  Turk  on  the  Island  of  Crete.    The 

>  "  Helen  "  of  the  story  is  a  Greek,  beautiful,  desolate,  defiant— pure 

•,  as  snow. 

J     There  is  a  certain  new  force  about  the  st  Dry,  a  kind  of  master- 
craftsmanship  and  mental  dominance  that  holds  the  reader. 
THE    MASTER    OF    APPLEBY.     By    Francis    Lynde, 
Illustrated  by  T.  de  Thulstrup. 

"A  novel  tale  concerning  itself  in  part  with  the  great  struggle  in 
the  two  Carolinas,  but  chiefly  with  the  adventures  therein  of  two 
gentlemen  who  loved  one  and  the  same  lady. 

A  strong,  masculine  and  persuasive  story. 
A  MODERN  MADONNA.    By  Caroline  Abbot  Stanley. 

A  story  of  American  life,  founded  on  facts  as  they  existed  some 
years  ago  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  theme  is  the  maternal 
love  and  splendid  courage  of  a  woman. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


